Human airway organoids and microplastic fibers: A new exposure model for emerging contaminants. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winkler, Anna Sophie; Cherubini, Alessandro; Rusconi, Francesco; Santo, Nadia; Madaschi, Laura; Pistoni, Clelia; Moschetti, Giorgia; Sarnicola, Maria Lucia; Crosti, Mariacristina; Rosso, Lorenzo; Tremolada, Paolo; Lazzari, Lorenza; Bacchetta, Renato
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 163(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Airway organoids -- Airborne microplastic -- Polyester fibers -- Dryer machine; ATR-FTIR attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy -- hAO human airway organoid -- hPO human pancreas organoid -- MP microplastic -- MPF microplastic fiber -- NP nanoplastic -- qRT-PCR quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction -- SEM-EDS scanning electron microscope - energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107200
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Inhalation of microplastics may lead to their inclusion in lung epithelium during repair phase. Human airway organoids are a suitable model for testing effects of airborne pollutants. Tumble drying of polyester fabrics released 0.44 g of dry microplastic fibers kg −1 dry fabric. Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) structured organoids are the most advanced in vitro models for studying human health effects, but their application to evaluate the biological effects associated with microplastic exposure was neglected until now. Fibers from synthetic clothes and fabrics are a major source of airborne microplastics, and their release from dryer machines is poorly understood. We quantified and characterized the microplastic fibers (MPFs) released in the exhaust filter of a household dryer and tested their effects on airway organoids (1, 10, and 50 µg mL −1 ) by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). While the presence of MPFs did not inhibit organoid growth, we observed a significant reduction of SCGB1A1 gene expression related to club cell functionality and a polarized cell growth along the fibers. The MPFs did not cause relevant inflammation or oxidative stress but were coated with a cellular layer, resulting in the inclusion of fibers in the organoid. This effect could have long-term implications regarding lung epithelial cells undergoing repair. This exposure study using human airway organoids proved suitability of the model for studying the effects of airborne microplastic contamination on humans and could form the basis for further research regarding the toxicological assessment of emerging contaminants such as micro- or nanoplastics.