State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, 250012, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, 250012, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 15;951:175371. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175371. Epub 2024 Aug 11.
The widespread use of microplastics and their harmful effects on the environment have emerged as serious concerns. However, the effect of microplastics on the immune system of mammals, particularly their offspring, has received little attention. In this study, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) were orally administered to male mice during lactation. Flow cytometry was used to assess the immune cells in the spleens of both adult male mice and their offspring. The results showed that mice exposed to PS-MPs exhibited an increase in spleen weight and an elevated number of B and regulatory T cells (Tregs), irrespective of dosage. Furthermore, the F male offspring of the PS-MPs-exposed group had enlarged spleens; an increased number of B cells, T helper cells (Th cells), and Tregs; and an elevated ratio of T helper cells 17 (Th17 cells) to Tregs and T helper cells 1 (Th1 cells) to T helper cells 2 (Th2 cells). These results suggested a pro-inflammatory state in the spleen. In contrast, in the F female offspring exposed to PS-MPs, the changes in splenic immune cells were less pronounced. In the F generation of mice with exposed to PS-MPs, minimal alterations were observed in spleen immune cells and morphology. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that exposure to real human doses of PS-MPs during lactation in male mice altered the immune status, which can be passed on to F offspring but is not inherited across generations.
微塑料的广泛使用及其对环境的有害影响已成为严重关切的问题。然而，微塑料对哺乳动物免疫系统的影响，特别是对其后代的影响，却很少受到关注。在这项研究中，在哺乳期向雄性小鼠口服聚苯乙烯微塑料（PS-MPs）。利用流式细胞术评估成年雄性小鼠及其后代脾脏中的免疫细胞。结果表明，暴露于 PS-MPs 的小鼠的脾脏重量增加，B 细胞和调节性 T 细胞（Tregs）的数量增加，而与剂量无关。此外，PS-MPs 暴露组雄性 F1 后代的脾脏增大；B 细胞、辅助性 T 细胞（Th 细胞）和 Tregs 的数量增加；辅助性 T 细胞 17（Th17 细胞）与 Tregs 和辅助性 T 细胞 1（Th1 细胞）与辅助性 T 细胞 2（Th2 细胞）的比值升高。这些结果表明脾脏呈促炎状态。相比之下，暴露于 PS-MPs 的雌性 F1 后代的脾脏免疫细胞变化不那么明显。在暴露于 PS-MPs 的 F 代小鼠中，脾脏免疫细胞和形态的变化最小。总之，我们的研究表明，在哺乳期雄性小鼠中暴露于真实人类剂量的 PS-MPs 会改变免疫状态，这种改变可以传递给 F 代后代，但不会跨代遗传。
