Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
HUVECs, Endothelial Cells, Nanoplastics
Department
Biology
Major
Biology
Abstract
As the use of plastics becomes more predominant in our environment, the interactions between nanoplastics and the human body have increased dramatically. One of the most common and prevalent plastics is polyethylene, and more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Tissue exposure to nanoplastics occurs through surface contact upon ingestion or inhalation where nanoplastics can pass readily through the epithelial layer. Directly beneath gut and lung epithelia is the endothelial layer of capillaries. Very little is known about the interactions between polyethylene and human cells, with no information currently available on its effects with the endothelial layer. Our previous research showed that endothelial cells can take up polyethylene nanoparticles (PET NPs) and that low concentration (μg /ml) PET NP exposure had no significant effect on growth or apoptosis. Bioaccumulation is known to occur with nanoplastic uptake that could lead to higher intracellular levels of PET. Here we examine whether higher concentration of PET NPs affect growth or elicit cytotoxic effects in endothelial cells through increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We used cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to three concentrations of PET NPs to address these questions. There were no observed differences in growth in HUVECs exposed to concentrations of 40, 80, and 120 μg/ml of PET NPs compared to control cells. We also observed no significant changes in ROS activity for exposed cells at any concentration. These data suggest that while endothelial cells take up PET NPs, there may not be adverse cellular effects to higher level PET nanoparticle exposure.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Thomas Vandergon
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
24-3-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2023 4:00 PM
Included in
Effects on Primary Endothelial Cells when Exposed to Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic
Waves Cafeteria
As the use of plastics becomes more predominant in our environment, the interactions between nanoplastics and the human body have increased dramatically. One of the most common and prevalent plastics is polyethylene, and more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Tissue exposure to nanoplastics occurs through surface contact upon ingestion or inhalation where nanoplastics can pass readily through the epithelial layer. Directly beneath gut and lung epithelia is the endothelial layer of capillaries. Very little is known about the interactions between polyethylene and human cells, with no information currently available on its effects with the endothelial layer. Our previous research showed that endothelial cells can take up polyethylene nanoparticles (PET NPs) and that low concentration (μg /ml) PET NP exposure had no significant effect on growth or apoptosis. Bioaccumulation is known to occur with nanoplastic uptake that could lead to higher intracellular levels of PET. Here we examine whether higher concentration of PET NPs affect growth or elicit cytotoxic effects in endothelial cells through increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We used cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to three concentrations of PET NPs to address these questions. There were no observed differences in growth in HUVECs exposed to concentrations of 40, 80, and 120 μg/ml of PET NPs compared to control cells. We also observed no significant changes in ROS activity for exposed cells at any concentration. These data suggest that while endothelial cells take up PET NPs, there may not be adverse cellular effects to higher level PET nanoparticle exposure.