New insights into the potential effects of PET microplastics on organisms via extracellular vesicle-mediated communication

Karol Mierzejewski; Aleksandra Kurzyńska; Monika Golubska; Jarosław Całka; Ismena Gałęcka; Mariusz Szabelski; Łukasz Paukszto; Aneta Andronowska; Iwona Bogacka

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166967

New insights into the potential effects of PET microplastics on organisms via extracellular vesicle-mediated communication

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 15:904:166967. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166967. Epub 2023 Sep 11.

Authors

Karol Mierzejewski¹, Aleksandra Kurzyńska², Monika Golubska³, Jarosław Całka⁴, Ismena Gałęcka⁵, Mariusz Szabelski⁶, Łukasz Paukszto⁷, Aneta Andronowska⁸, Iwona Bogacka⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: karol.mierzejewski@uwm.edu.pl.
² Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: aleksandra.kurzynska@uwm.edu.pl.
³ Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: monika.golubska@uwm.edu.pl.
⁴ Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: jaroslaw.calka@uwm.edu.pl.
⁵ Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: ismena.kordylewska@uwm.edu.pl.
⁶ Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: mariusz.szabelski@uwm.edu.pl.
⁷ Department of Botany and Nature Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: lukasz.paukszto@uwm.edu.pl.
⁸ Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: a.andronowska@pan.olsztyn.pl.
⁹ Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: iwonab@uwm.edu.pl.

PMID: 37699490
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166967

Abstract

Plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives. In the environment, plastics break down into small pieces (<5 mm) that are referred to as microplastics. Microplastics are ubiquitous and widespread in the environment, and all living organisms are exposed to their effects. The present study provides new insights into the potential effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics on organisms via extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication. The study demonstrated that serum-derived EVs are able to transport plastic particles. In addition, PET microplastics alter the content of miRNA in EVs. The identified differentially regulated miRNAs may target genes associated with lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, and carcinogenesis. This work expands our understanding of PET microplastics' effects on organisms via EV-mediated communication and identifies directions for further research and strategies.

Keywords: Environmental pollution; Exosomes; Lifestyle diseases; Microplastics; PET; Serum.

MeSH terms

Communication
Microplastics* / toxicity
Plastics / toxicity
Polyethylene Terephthalates
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Polyethylene Terephthalates
Water Pollutants, Chemical