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- Title
Microplastics dysregulate innate immunity in the SARS-CoV-2 infected lung.
- Authors
Bishop, Cameron R.; Yan, Kexin; Nguyen, Wilson; Rawle, Daniel J.; Bing Tang; Larcher, Thibaut; Suhrbier, Andreas
- Abstract
Introduction: Global microplastic (MP) pollution is now well recognized, with humans and animals consuming and inhaling MPs on a daily basis, with a growing body of concern surrounding the potential impacts on human health. Methods: Using a mouse model of mild COVID-19, we describe herein the effects of azide-free 1 μm polystyrene MP beads, co-delivered into lungs with a SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 inoculum. The effect of MPs on the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection was analysed using histopathology and RNA-Seq at 2 and 6 days post-infection (dpi). Results: Although infection reduced clearance of MPs from the lung, virus titres and viral RNA levels were not significantly affected by MPs, and overt MP-associated clinical or histopathological changes were not observed. However, RNA-Seq of infected lungs revealed that MP exposure suppressed innate immune responses at 2 dpi and increased pro-inflammatory signatures at 6 dpi. The cytokine profile at 6 dpi showed a significant correlation with the 'cytokine release syndrome' signature observed in some COVID-19 patients. Discussion: The findings are consistent with the recent finding that MPs can inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic cells via binding of Tim4. They also add to a growing body of literature suggesting that MPs can dysregulate inflammatory processes in specific disease settings.
- Subjects
SARS-CoV-2; NATURAL immunity; CYTOKINE release syndrome; MICROPLASTICS; COVID-19; TITERS
- Publication
Frontiers in Immunology, 2024, p1
- ISSN
1664-3224
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382655