Nanoplastics Enhance Transmembrane Transport and Uptake of Carcinogens: Transcriptional Changes and the Effects of Weathering.

ABSTRACT: Nanoplastics are generated from common consumer plastics (polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride) and exposed to simulated marine weathering for up to 10 weeks. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ζ-potential measurements reveal continuous changes in the composition of the nanoplastics, consistent with oxidation. Although the chemical composition and oxidation of the nanoplastics influence their ability to sorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), for all investigated conditions, sorption of PAHs to nanoplastics achieves effective PAH concentrations that are orders of magnitude higher than the solubility limit in water. In an intestinal co-culture model membrane consisting of M cells and enterocytes, PAH-loaded nanoplastics enhanc

SUBMITTER: Schiferle EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12376499 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature