Polyethylene Micro/Nanoplastics Exposure Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Bronchial and Alveolar Epithelial Cells.

ABSTRACT: Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), which are widely spread in the environment, have gained attention because of their ability to enter the human body mainly through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, thus representing a serious health threat. Several studies have reported the presence of MNPs in lung tissue and the potential role of MNP inhalation in triggering lung fibrosis and tumorigenesis. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the cellular response to MNPs composed of polyethylene (PE), one of the most common plastic pollutants in the biosphere. In this study, we investigated the effects of low/high concentrations of PE MNPs on respiratory epithelial cell viability and migration/invasion abilities, using MTT, scratch, and transwell assays. Morphological and molecular changes

SUBMITTER: Traversa A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11432389 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature