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

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Mar 24th, 2:00 PM Mar 24th, 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.