The University of Toledo Translation Journal of Medical Sciences 
Cardiology Abstract, Department of Medicine Research Symposium UTJMS 2023 May 05; 11(1):e1-e1 

Exposure to Nanoplastics Induces an Inflammatory 
Response in Healthy and Type 2 Diabetic Primary Human 
Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells 

Shereen G. Yassine1*, Benjamin W. French1, Joshua D. Breidenbach, MS1, 
Andrew Kleinhenz1, Zaneh K. Adya1, Deepak Malhotra, MD2, Steven T. 
Haller, PhD1, and David J. Kennedy, PhD1

1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, 
OH 43614 
2Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, 
Toledo, OH 43614 

*Corresponding author: Shereen.Yassine@rockets.utoledo.edu

Published: 05 May 2023 

Introduction: As environmental pollutants, micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly prevalent in ocean 
and freshwater ecosystems. Nanoplastics (NPs) are particles generated when microplastics inevitably 
degrade into particles ≤100 nm. Recent evidence from experimental models suggests that exposure to 
NPs induces renal injury and oxidative stress. We sought to determine if exposure to NPs induces an 
inflammatory response in healthy and type 2 diabetic (T2D) primary human proximal tubular epithelial 
cells (PTEC).   

Methods: Healthy and T2D primary human PTECs were cultured in 96 well-plates and exposed to 
0.026%, 0.052% w/v 0.05 µm monodisperse polystyrene microspheres (or vehicle) for 24 hours. After 
the 24 hour exposure, cells were subject to RT-PCR assessing markers of inflammation.   

Results: Nanoplastic beads induced significant increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), 
transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and the TNF super family receptor molecule, CD40. In 
regard to TGF-beta, cells isolated from diabetic individuals demonstrated an elevated response 
compared to cells isolated from healthy individuals.   

Conclusion: Our results suggest that NPs induce an inflammatory response in human PTECs, which 
may be enhanced in prevalent, pre-existing conditions, such as T2D, with important implications for 
human health that warrant further investigation. 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-648 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-648
mailto:Shereen.Yassine@rockets.utoledo.edu