Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs

Wei-Hsuan Hsu, You-Zuo Chen, Yi-Ting Chiang, Yi-Tsen Chang, Yi-Wen Wang, Kung-Ting Hsu, Yi-Yun Hsu, Pei-Ting Wu and Bao-Hong Lee ()
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Wei-Hsuan Hsu: National Cheng Kung University
You-Zuo Chen: National Cheng Kung University
Yi-Ting Chiang: National Cheng Kung University
Yi-Tsen Chang: National Cheng Kung University
Yi-Wen Wang: National Cheng Kung University
Kung-Ting Hsu: National Cheng Kung University
Yi-Yun Hsu: National Cheng Kung University
Pei-Ting Wu: National Cheng Kung University
Bao-Hong Lee: National Chiayi University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Nanoplastics (NP) are emerging environmental pollutants with potential risks to human health. This study investigates how polystyrene-NP exposure disrupts the intestinal microenvironment and barrier function through bacteria-host interactions. Using in vivo models and bacterial sorting technology, we show that NP accumulation in the mouse intestine alters the expression of intestinal miR-501-3p and miR-700-5p, compromising tight junction protein ZO-1 and mucin (MUC)−13 expression, thereby increasing intestinal permeability. NP increases miR-98-3p, miR-548z, miR-548h-3o, miR-548d-3p, miR-548az-5p, miR-12136, and miR-101-3p levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from goblet-like cells, which can interfere with ZO-1 expression. NP also induces gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by elevated Ruminococcaceae abundance and altered EV characteristics from goblet cells. Lachnospiraceae internalize NP, and their EVs suppress MUC-13 expression. These findings reveal a mechanism by which NP compromises intestinal integrity and indirectly alters intestinal microbiota composition, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y

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