Real-Time Quantification of Nanoplastics-Induced Oxidative Stress in Stretching Alveolar Cells

Abstract

Nanoplastics from air pollutants can be directly inhaled into the alveoli in the lungs and further enter blood circulation, and numerous studies have revealed the close relation between internalized nanoplastics with many physiological disorders via intracellular oxidative stress. However, the dynamic process of nanoplastics-induced oxidative stress in lung cells under breathmimicked conditions is still unclear, due to the lack of methods that can reproduce the mechanical stretching of the alveolar and simultaneously monitor the oxidative stress response. Here, we describe a biomimetic platform by culturing alveoli epithelial cells on a stretchable electrochemical sensor and integrating them into a microfluidic device. This allows reproducing the respiration of alveoli by cyclic stretching of the alveoli epithelial cells and monitoring the nanoplastics-induced oxidative stress by the built-in sensor. By this device, we prove that cyclic stretches can greatly enhance the cellular uptake of nanoplastics with the dependencies of strain amplitude. Importantly, oxidative stress evoked by internalized nanoplastics can be quantitatively monitored in real time. This work will promote the deep understanding about the cytotoxicity of inhaled nanoplastics in the pulmonary mechanical microenvironment.

Realistic Nanoplastics Induced Pulmonary Damage via the Crosstalk of Ferritinophagy and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

“…Upon reaching the alveolar spaces, NPs inevitably undergo protein absorption from the lung lining fluid, resulting in the formation of a “protein corona”. This corona plays a crucial role in mediating interactions between NPs and lung cells, as well as determining the subsequent fate and effects of NPs. , Thus, the BALF protein corona on NPs was determined to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved in NP-induced lung injury.…”

“…In the alveolar lavage fluid environment, a large number of biomolecules are adsorbed on the surface of NPs, forming a protein corona. The adsorption and modification processes of endogenous substances have a decisive influence on the biological effects of NPs. , Proteomic analysis demonstrated the enrichment of the expression of proteins on NPs involved in the ferroptosis pathway. Furthermore, NPs were found to cause lipid peroxidation, intracellular iron overload, and cell death, which proved that NPs could contribute to the induction of ferroptosis.…”