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- Title
The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion-associated protein corona of polystyrene nano- and microplastics increases their uptake by human THP-1-derived macrophages.
- Authors
Brouwer, Hugo; Porbahaie, Mojtaba; Boeren, Sjef; Busch, Mathias; Bouwmeester, Hans
- Abstract
Background: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) represent one of the most widespread environmental pollutants of the twenty-first century to which all humans are orally exposed. Upon ingestion, MNPs pass harsh biochemical conditions within the gastrointestinal tract, causing a unique protein corona on the MNP surface. Little is known about the digestion-associated protein corona and its impact on the cellular uptake of MNPs. Here, we systematically studied the influence of gastrointestinal digestion on the cellular uptake of neutral and charged polystyrene MNPs using THP-1-derived macrophages. Results: The protein corona composition was quantified using LC‒MS–MS-based proteomics, and the cellular uptake of MNPs was determined using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Gastrointestinal digestion resulted in a distinct protein corona on MNPs that was retained in serum-containing cell culture medium. Digestion increased the uptake of uncharged MNPs below 500 nm by 4.0–6.1-fold but did not affect the uptake of larger sized or charged MNPs. Forty proteins showed a good correlation between protein abundance and MNP uptake, including coagulation factors, apolipoproteins and vitronectin. Conclusion: This study provides quantitative data on the presence of gastrointestinal proteins on MNPs and relates this to cellular uptake, underpinning the need to include the protein corona in hazard assessment of MNPs. Highlights: In vitro digestion increases uptake of nanoplastics by macrophages. The effect on uptake is dependent on particle size and charge. Uptake differences could be related to alterations in the protein corona. Uptake differences were strongly correlated to digestion associated alterations in complement factor and apolipoprotein levels in the protein corona.
- Subjects
POLLUTANTS; MICROPLASTICS; DIGESTION; POLYSTYRENE; BLOOD coagulation factors; MACROPHAGES; BIODEGRADABLE plastics; COMPLEMENT receptors
- Publication
Particle & Fibre Toxicology, 2024, Vol 21, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1743-8977
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12989-024-00563-z