Nanoplastics trigger glial-neuronal collagen signaling miscommunication to exacerbate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatments and poorly defined environmental risks. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread pollutants linked to neurotoxicity, but their role in AD remains unclear.

Methods

We investigated the effects of 90-day intragastric exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice using behavioral tests, brain imaging, histopathology, and cell-type-resolved proteomics.

Results

PS-NPs exacerbated cognitive deficits and hippocampal damage in APP/PS1 mice. Proteomic and CellChat analyses revealed PS-NPs enhanced neuroglial communication through the collagen-integrin axis. In vitro triculture demonstrated that PS-NPs strengthene

SUBMITTER: Zhong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12823787 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature