The Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic Particles on the Metabolism and Expression of Cell Stress Markers in Human Caco-2 Cells
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
PET nanoplastics, Caco-2 cells, qPCR, stress markers
Department
Biology
Major
Biology
Abstract
Danielli Cavallo
Mentor: Thomas Vandergon
Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University
Humans interact with plastics daily due to their versatile use. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the most common type of plastic, and is used in the food and beverage packaging industries. As plastics degrade in micro- (<5 >mm) and nano- (<1 >µm) sized particles, these can enter the human body through ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation. Once micro- and nanoplastics are internalized, they can be absorbed through epithelial tissues in the lungs and intestines. The human epithelial adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line is an important model for intestinal cells. Although studies have shown that Caco-2 cells uptake PET nanoplastic particles, at low concentration (/ml PET) there is no cytotoxic effect. Bioaccumulation is known to occur with nanoplastic uptake that may lead to higher intracellular levels of PET. Nothing is known about the effects of higher PET particle concentration in Caco-2 cells. This study examined the metabolism, and expression of the cell stress markers iNOS, KRAS, IL-1β, and COX-2 in human Caco-2 cells when exposed to 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml of PET nanoplastics for 72 hours. Although it was observed that KRAS, IL-1β, and COX-2 were upregulated in the PET treated samples relative to the control, there appeared to be no change in cell viability. These results suggest that PET nanoplastic particles do have an impact on the expression of cell stress markers in Caco-2 cells, but additional pathway mediators should be investigated to establish a clearer understanding of the effects of PET exposure on gut epithelial cells.
Faculty Mentor
Thomas Vandergon
Funding Source or Research Program
Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
24-3-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2023 4:00 PM
The Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic Particles on the Metabolism and Expression of Cell Stress Markers in Human Caco-2 Cells
Waves Cafeteria
Danielli Cavallo
Mentor: Thomas Vandergon
Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University
Humans interact with plastics daily due to their versatile use. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the most common type of plastic, and is used in the food and beverage packaging industries. As plastics degrade in micro- (<5>mm) and nano- (<1>µm) sized particles, these can enter the human body through ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation. Once micro- and nanoplastics are internalized, they can be absorbed through epithelial tissues in the lungs and intestines. The human epithelial adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line is an important model for intestinal cells. Although studies have shown that Caco-2 cells uptake PET nanoplastic particles, at low concentration (/ml PET) there is no cytotoxic effect. Bioaccumulation is known to occur with nanoplastic uptake that may lead to higher intracellular levels of PET. Nothing is known about the effects of higher PET particle concentration in Caco-2 cells. This study examined the metabolism, and expression of the cell stress markers iNOS, KRAS, IL-1β, and COX-2 in human Caco-2 cells when exposed to 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml of PET nanoplastics for 72 hours. Although it was observed that KRAS, IL-1β, and COX-2 were upregulated in the PET treated samples relative to the control, there appeared to be no change in cell viability. These results suggest that PET nanoplastic particles do have an impact on the expression of cell stress markers in Caco-2 cells, but additional pathway mediators should be investigated to establish a clearer understanding of the effects of PET exposure on gut epithelial cells.