2. Academic Validation
  3. Nanoplastics exposure exacerbates Aβ plaque deposition in Alzheimer's disease mice by inducing microglia pyroptosis

Nanoplastics exposure exacerbates Aβ plaque deposition in Alzheimer's disease mice by inducing microglia pyroptosis

  • Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jul 1:299:118379. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118379.
Hongxiang Yu 1,  Zongbo Zhao 2,  Hui Li 3,  Yingying Han 1,  Hongxia Li 1,  Can Cui 1,  Yongbo Hu 4,  Bei Zhang 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Neurology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji Univervsity, Shanghai 200092, China.
  • 2 Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, the Affiliated Changshu Hospital of Nantong University, Changshu No.2 People's Hospital, Suchow 215500, China.
  • 3 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, No.1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China.
  • 4 Department of Neurology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. Electronic address: huyongbo91@126.com.
  • 5 Department of Neurology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji Univervsity, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: zhangbei0227@163.com.
PMID: 40412250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118379
Abstract

Our study addresses the critical issue of environmental relevant dose nanoplastics (NPs) exposure and their neurotoxic effects, highlighting a significant environmental health concern. Using APP/PS1 transgenic mice and BV2 microglial cells, we examined the impact of NPs on cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Our findings reveal that environmental relevant dose NPs exposure aggravated cognitive dysfunction, and exacerbated amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque formation. NPs cause lysosomal damage and trigger Pyroptosis in microglia, impairing their phagocytic function and reducing their ability to clear Aβ plaques. We investigated melatonin as a therapeutic agent, finding it significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits and reduced Aβ plaque deposition, restoring microglial function. This study highlights the significant neurotoxic potential of NPs and suggests targeting Pyroptosis as a therapeutic strategy. Our work underscores the urgent need to understand the neurological consequences of NPss exposure and develop strategies to mitigate their health risks.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease; Lysosomal dysfunction; Microglia; Nanoplastics (NPs); Pyroptosis.

Figures
Products