Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental issue due to their accumulation in ecosystems and living organisms. Increasing evidence shows that MPs impact vascular function, with recent studies finding MPs in atheromas linked to cardiovascular events. Since vascular smooth muscle cells...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89006-z |
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| _version_ | 1823862314058645504 |
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| author | Elisa Persiani Antonella Cecchettini Sofia Amato Elisa Ceccherini Ilaria Gisone Agnese Sgalippa Chiara Ippolito Valter Castelvetro Tommaso Lomonaco Federico Vozzi |
| author_facet | Elisa Persiani Antonella Cecchettini Sofia Amato Elisa Ceccherini Ilaria Gisone Agnese Sgalippa Chiara Ippolito Valter Castelvetro Tommaso Lomonaco Federico Vozzi |
| author_sort | Elisa Persiani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental issue due to their accumulation in ecosystems and living organisms. Increasing evidence shows that MPs impact vascular function, with recent studies finding MPs in atheromas linked to cardiovascular events. Since vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial to maintaining vascular function, this study examined how MPs activate VSMCs, leading to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The study used polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS), common in food packaging, as “virgin” or photo-degraded to simulate environmental conditions. VSMC viability, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and activation markers were evaluated. PE and PS affected VSMC viability, induced apoptosis, and triggered pathological changes such as altered migration and proliferation. Key markers like RUNX-2 and galectin-3, which regulate cardiovascular pathology, were activated, alongside the inflammasome complex. In conclusion, MPs can induce harmful activation of VSMCs, posing potential health risks through inflammation, cell damage, and phenotypic changes. Understanding these toxic mechanisms may reveal critical pathways for intervention and prevention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-87733bc425b04576beaa604bd9bf15a0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-87733bc425b04576beaa604bd9bf15a02025-02-09T12:35:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-89006-zVirgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cellsElisa Persiani0Antonella Cecchettini1Sofia Amato2Elisa Ceccherini3Ilaria Gisone4Agnese Sgalippa5Chiara Ippolito6Valter Castelvetro7Tommaso Lomonaco8Federico Vozzi9CNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaDepartment of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of PisaDepartment of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of PisaCNR Institute of Clinical PhysiologyAbstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental issue due to their accumulation in ecosystems and living organisms. Increasing evidence shows that MPs impact vascular function, with recent studies finding MPs in atheromas linked to cardiovascular events. Since vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial to maintaining vascular function, this study examined how MPs activate VSMCs, leading to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The study used polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS), common in food packaging, as “virgin” or photo-degraded to simulate environmental conditions. VSMC viability, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and activation markers were evaluated. PE and PS affected VSMC viability, induced apoptosis, and triggered pathological changes such as altered migration and proliferation. Key markers like RUNX-2 and galectin-3, which regulate cardiovascular pathology, were activated, alongside the inflammasome complex. In conclusion, MPs can induce harmful activation of VSMCs, posing potential health risks through inflammation, cell damage, and phenotypic changes. Understanding these toxic mechanisms may reveal critical pathways for intervention and prevention.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89006-zMicroplasticsVascular smooth muscle cellsPhenotypic switchPolyethylenePolystyrene |
| spellingShingle | Elisa Persiani Antonella Cecchettini Sofia Amato Elisa Ceccherini Ilaria Gisone Agnese Sgalippa Chiara Ippolito Valter Castelvetro Tommaso Lomonaco Federico Vozzi Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells Scientific Reports Microplastics Vascular smooth muscle cells Phenotypic switch Polyethylene Polystyrene |
| title | Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| title_full | Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| title_fullStr | Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| title_short | Virgin and photo-degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| title_sort | virgin and photo degraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells |
| topic | Microplastics Vascular smooth muscle cells Phenotypic switch Polyethylene Polystyrene |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89006-z |
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