Mitochondrial stress response in lung cells triggered by the inhaled nanoplastics

Abstract

The lungs are the primary site of exposure to environmental stressors, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of inhaled nanoplastic particles. Owing to their nanoscale size, nanoplastics penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract than microplastics do and are capable of interacting directly with alveolar cells. This review focuses on the impact of inhaling nanoplastic particles on mitochondrial function in lung tissue, particularly the activation of mitochondrial stress response pathways. Mitochondria, as central regulators of cellular energy and stress responses, exhibit heightened sensitivity to environmental stress. Many studies have shown that nanoplastic exposure disrupts mitochondrial functions, reduces the membrane potential, and induces oxidative stress, possibly causing inflammation and apoptosis. This review underscores the need for advanced research to understand the systemic effects of nanoplastics and their compounded toxicity when combined with other environmental pollutants. Studying the adaptive processes of mitochondria exposed to the stress of inhaled nanoplastics is particularly important because mitochondria are essential for life-supporting functions and cell fate decisions. Given that mitochondria are key cellular targets, studying their behavior may prove useful in finding strategies to reduce the health risks posed by nanoplastic inhalation.