Toxicological assessment of benzo(a)pyrene - coated PET nanoplastics in vitro on a 3D model of the human bronchial epithelium
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Exposure to airborne micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) may pose a potential threat to human health, as several studies have detected MNPs in the respiratory tract [1,2]. These MNPs may act as carriers of airborne pollutants, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aim of our study is to perform a toxicological assessment of co-exposure to airborne MNPs and a PAH known for its toxicity, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). To evaluate this, we developed the coating of polyethylene terephthalate NPs (PET, 70 nm) with BaP and assessed their toxicity in vitro on a 3D model of the human bronchial epithelium [3]. The Calu-3 cell line was exposed to PET-NPs or BaP alone or in combination at the air liquid interface. Transmission electron microscopy has shown that PET-NPs can be internalized by the bronchial epithelium. No effects on the barrier integrity (Transepithelial electrical resistance) and cell viability (AlamarBlue assay) were observed after 6h, 18h and 24h of exposure. BaP and BaP-coated PET-NPs induced the overexpression of cytochromes P450 mRNAs. This suggests that BaP is bioavailable when adsorbed on PET-NPs. We are currently assessing the metabolization pathway of BaP desorbed from PET-NPs in the bronchial epithelium. Intrestingly, BaP-coated PET-NPs but not BaP alone induced the overexpression of mucins, anti-oxidants and inflammatory cytokines mRNAs after 6h, 18h and 24h of exposure. Repeated exposures to BaP-coated PET-NPs are ongoing to assess the long-term effects over 28 days of daily exposure (5 days/week) to PAH-contaminated PET-NPs. Our results emphasize the importance of studying the interaction of MNPs with airborne contaminants and its influence on their toxicity. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 965367 (PlasticsFatE). 1. Jenner et al. Sci. Total Environ. 831, 154907 (2022). 2.Uoginte et al. Heliyon 9, (2023). 3.Sanchez-Guzman et al. Sci. Rep. 11, 6621 (2021). Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558610/document
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