Nanoplastics cause malformations. His Meiru Wang, a researcher at the Leiden Biological Institute, used chicken embryos as a model to study the extreme effects that polystyrene his nanoparticles could have. Her results were quite astonishing. Especially nanoparticles are everywhere. It floats in the air, in seas and rivers, is found in cosmetics and shampoos, and researchers are now even investigating whether it can be used in human medicine.
“We see malformations in the nervous system, heart, eyes and other parts of the face,” says Wang. “We used high concentrations of polystyrene particles, which are not normally present in living organisms. But it shows what nanoplastics can do in the extreme case of very young embryos. We also provide guidelines on what might be less serious.” The results are now published in the leading journal Environment International.
Nanoplastics target stem cells
Wang found that nanoplastics target fetal neural crest cells. These stem cells are formed very early in their existence in all vertebrates. Neural crest cells originate in what will become the spinal cord and migrate to form part of the nervous system. It also forms part of several vital organs, such as arteries, heart, and face.
“Once you know the mechanics, everything works”
However, when nanoparticles surround neural crest cells, their migration is disrupted. This causes growth failure. Wang’s supervisor, Michael Richardson, said: They are thought to attach to neural crest cells and cause the cells to die. Because neural crest cells are sticky, nanoparticles can adhere to neural crest cells and destroy organs that depend on these cells for development. I like the metaphor of making dough. For example, when making bread, dust it with flour to keep it from sticking. However, in this case, neural crest cell migration is compromised.
3D Reconstruction, X-rays, and Expertise for Mechanism Discovery
The research project involves several research centers in and outside Leiden, including the CML, whose new director, Martina Vijver, is Wang’s supervisor. “Nanoplastics are so small that they cannot be seen with a conventional microscope, which is what makes them difficult to study. You can only see them if they are fluorescently labeled,” says Richard. Song explained. “This kind of research can’t be done in a one-man band, so collaboration was the way to go.”
At the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Martin Rücklin and Bertie Johann van Heuben were able to perform 3D reconstructions of the embryos so that the malformations could be seen clearly. Synchrotron Switzerland allowed me to see what was going on inside the heart. Experienced researchers at LUMC helped define what we were seeing.
step forward
Wang is very happy with his research, despite the worrying results. “Everything in research is a question mark and an opportunity to fill in the gaps. It’s just one step to see these dramatic effects before they’re seen in humans, especially as people are considering using them in human medicine. We believe that it is necessary to
Original: Heart, eye and nervous system malformations: nanoplastics inhibit growth
Than: Leiden University
