Prospects on the nano-plastic particles internalization and induction of cellular response in human keratinocytes

Ponnusamy Manogaran Gopinath,Palaniyandi Ravanan,David F Jenkins,Krishna Sundar Twayana,John Thomas John Thomas,Amitava Mukherjee,Natarajan Chandrasekaran

doi:10.1186/s12989-021-00428-9

Abstract

BackgroundToday, cosmetic products are very popular with both men and women to improve their appearance and increase their social acceptability.ResultsIn this study, nano-sized (30–300 nm) plastic particles were isolated from the commercial face-scrubs and treated on the human keratinocytes. The observed adherence of polyethylene nano-plastics (PENPs), polystyrene NPs (PSNPs), and face-scrubs isolated nano-plastics (NPs) on the keratin layer reveals a significant attachment of NPs from the cosmetics that are applied on the skin for a short duration. This attachment property could facilitate further adherence of protein molecules on NPs and the protein-corona formation. The protein-corona mimics protein aggregates, thereby triggers macropinocytosis, followed by the macropinolysosomal process in the cell. These internalized NPs induced the concentration-dependent cytotoxic, cytostatic and cytoprotective activity in keratinocytes. Both single dose and chronic long-term exposure of lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of NPs resulted in oxidative stress-mediated down-regulation of cell growth and proliferation inhibition. Autophagic structures and premature aging were also observed using an electron microscopy and a senescence marker, respectively in the NPs internalized HaCaT cells incubated in a fresh, NPs-free medium.ConclusionThough 2D culture models have many limitations, it produces significant conceptual advancements. This work provides an insight into the NPs concentration-dependent regulatory, cytoprotective, and cytotoxic effects in HaCaT cells. However, 3D model studies are required to identify the detailed mechanisms of NPs toxicity and cytoprotective events in cells at the molecular level.Graphic abstract

Highlights

Today, cosmetic products are very popular with both men and women to improve their appearance and increase their social acceptability
According to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports, more than 500 different types of nano- and micro-plastic ingredients, with a combined weight of more than 9300 tonnes are added to cosmetics and personal care products (CPCP) every year in European Union countries alone [7, 11]
Isolation and determination of NPs from face scrubs Face scrubs (FS) manufactured by two different industries were purchased from the local supermarket and used for NPs extraction by sequential filtration [13]

Summary

Introduction

Cosmetic products are very popular with both men and women to improve their appearance and increase their social acceptability. Nano- and micro-sized plastic polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), and nylon have replaced the natural exfoliants, owing to their cost-effectiveness, functionality, versatility, durability, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant properties [5,6,7,8,9,10]. According to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports, more than 500 different types of nano- and micro-plastic ingredients, with a combined weight of more than 9300 tonnes are added to cosmetics and personal care products (CPCP) every year in European Union countries alone [7, 11]. The PEMPs release from the facial scrub usage by the UK population ranges between 40.5 and 215 mg/person/ day, suggesting the annual environmental release of ~ 86 tonnes of MPs from facial exfoliants alone [9]

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