Abstract
Due to its increasing production, durability and multiple applications, plastic is a material we encounter every day. Small plastic particles from the μm to the mm range are classified as microplastics and produced for cosmetic and medical products, but are also a result of natural erosion and decomposition of macroplastics. Although being omnipresent in our environment and already detected in various organisms, less is known about the effects of microplastics on humans in general, or on vascular biology in particular. Here we investigated the effects of carboxylated polystyrene microplastic particles (PS, 1 μm) on murine endothelial and immune cells, which are both crucially involved in vascular inflammation, using in vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro, PS induced adhesion molecule expression in endothelial cells with subsequent adhesion of leukocytes both under static and flow conditions. In monocytic cells, PS enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and release. Accordingly, administering mice with PS led to enhanced aortic expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Furthermore, we identified neutrophils as the PS-clearing blood leukocyte population. The findings from this study for the first time indicate polystyrene microplastic as a new environmental risk factor for endothelial inflammation.
Highlights
Since the last decades, living beings are increasingly faced with several novel environmental risk factors, such as particulate matter, plasticizers and microplastics
The latter are small synthetic and solid particles with a size ranging from less than 1 μm to 5 mm and can be divided in primary microplastics produced for instance for cosmetic and medical products and in secondary microplastics resulting from natural erosion and decomposition of macroplastics [1]
Microplastics continuously accumulate in our environment due to the globally growing production of plastic reaching 368 million tons in 2019 according to the association of plastics manufacturers [2]
Summary
Since the last decades, living beings are increasingly faced with several novel environmental risk factors, such as particulate matter, plasticizers and microplastics The latter are small synthetic and solid particles with a size ranging from less than 1 μm to 5 mm and can be divided in primary microplastics produced for instance for cosmetic and medical products and in secondary microplastics resulting from natural erosion and decomposition of macroplastics [1]. An example for the latter is polystyrene (PS) being present in particulate matter because of tire abrasion.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
