Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Laura Fabris¹  Stamatina Kollontzi¹  Jeanine N. D’Errico²  Sara B. Fournier³  Phoebe A. Stapleton⁴  Edward J. Yurkow⁵  Derek S. Adler⁵  Michael J. Goedken⁶ 

[1] Department of Material Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Rutgers University, 607 Taylor Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Molecular Imaging Center, Rutgers University, 41 Gordon Rd, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;Research Pathology Services, Rutgers University, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA;

关键词: Nanoplastics;    Translocation;    Pregnancy;    Maternal;    Fetal;    Polystyrene;    Perfusion;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12989-020-00385-9

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPlastic is everywhere. It is used in food packaging, storage containers, electronics, furniture, clothing, and common single-use disposable items. Microplastic and nanoplastic particulates are formed from bulk fragmentation and disintegration of plastic pollution. Plastic particulates have recently been detected in indoor air and remote atmospheric fallout. Due to their small size, microplastic and nanoplastic particulate in the atmosphere can be inhaled and may pose a risk for human health, specifically in susceptible populations. When inhaled, nanosized particles have been shown to translocate across pulmonary cell barriers to secondary organs, including the placenta. However, the potential for maternal-to-fetal translocation of nanosized-plastic particles and the impact of nanoplastic deposition or accumulation on fetal health remain unknown. In this study we investigated whether nanopolystyrene particles can cross the placental barrier and deposit in fetal tissues after maternal pulmonary exposure.ResultsPregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 20 nm rhodamine-labeled nanopolystyrene beads (2.64 × 1014 particles) via intratracheal instillation on gestational day (GD) 19. Twenty-four hours later on GD 20, maternal and fetal tissues were evaluated using fluorescent optical imaging. Fetal tissues were fixed for particle visualization with hyperspectral microscopy. Using isolated placental perfusion, a known concentration of nanopolystyrene was injected into the uterine artery. Maternal and fetal effluents were collected for 180 min and assessed for polystyrene particle concentration. Twenty-four hours after maternal exposure, fetal and placental weights were significantly lower (7 and 8%, respectively) compared with controls. Nanopolystyrene particles were detected in the maternal lung, heart, and spleen. Polystyrene nanoparticles were also observed in the placenta, fetal liver, lungs, heart, kidney, and brain suggesting maternal lung-to-fetal tissue nanoparticle translocation in late stage pregnancy.ConclusionThese studies confirm that maternal pulmonary exposure to nanopolystyrene results in the translocation of plastic particles to placental and fetal tissues and renders the fetoplacental unit vulnerable to adverse effects. These data are vital to the understanding of plastic particulate toxicology and the developmental origins of health and disease.

【 授权许可】

CC BY