Organoid-based platforms for investigating microplastic-induced human organ toxicity

Abstract

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) have emerged as widespread environmental contaminants, raising increasing concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on human health. Conventional in vitro and animal models have notable limitations in recapitulating the structural and functional complexity of human organ systems, highlighting the need for more physiologically relevant platforms. Organoids are 3-dimensional structures derived from stem cells that replicate key architectural and functional features of native tissues, and this technology has shown great promise for investigating MNP-induced toxicity. This review summarizes recent organoid-based toxicological findings across the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and metabolic systems. Evidence from brain, kidney, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, and intestinal organoid models demonstrates that MNP exposure can lead to organ-specific pathophysiological changes, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired tissue morphogenesis. Organoid technology is envisioned as a transformative tool for bridging the gap between environmental exposure research and human health risk assessment.