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Inhalable textile microplastic fibers impair airway epithelial growth

F. van Dijk, S. Song, G.W.A van Eck, X. Wu, I.S.T. Bos, D.H.A. Boom, I. Kooter, D.C.J. Spierings, R. Wardenaar, M. Cole, A. Salvati, R. Gosens, View ORCID ProfileB.N. Melgert
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.25.428144
F. van Dijk
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
2Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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S. Song
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
3Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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G.W.A van Eck
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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X. Wu
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
2Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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I.S.T. Bos
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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D.H.A. Boom
4The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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I. Kooter
4The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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D.C.J. Spierings
5European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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R. Wardenaar
5European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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M. Cole
6Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
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A. Salvati
7Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology and Targeting, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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R. Gosens
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
2Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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B.N. Melgert
1Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
2Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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  • ORCID record for B.N. Melgert
  • For correspondence: b.n.melgert@rug.nl
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Abstract

We are continually exposed to microplastic fibers originating from textiles. High exposure to microplastic fibers in nylon flock workers has been linked to the development of airway and interstitial lung disease, but the exact health effects of microplastic fibers on the lungs are unknown. Here we determined effects of polyester and nylon textile microplastic fibers on airway and alveolar epithelial cells using human and murine lung organoids. We observed that the presence of particularly nylon microfibers had a negative impact on the growth and development of airway organoids. This effect was mediated by components leaking from nylon. Moreover, our data suggested that microplastic textile fibers may especially harm the developing airways or airways undergoing repair. Our results call for an urgent need to assess exposure and inhalation levels in indoor environments to accurately determine the actual risk of these fibers to human health.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

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The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
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Posted January 27, 2021.
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Inhalable textile microplastic fibers impair airway epithelial growth
F. van Dijk, S. Song, G.W.A van Eck, X. Wu, I.S.T. Bos, D.H.A. Boom, I. Kooter, D.C.J. Spierings, R. Wardenaar, M. Cole, A. Salvati, R. Gosens, B.N. Melgert
bioRxiv 2021.01.25.428144; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.25.428144
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Inhalable textile microplastic fibers impair airway epithelial growth
F. van Dijk, S. Song, G.W.A van Eck, X. Wu, I.S.T. Bos, D.H.A. Boom, I. Kooter, D.C.J. Spierings, R. Wardenaar, M. Cole, A. Salvati, R. Gosens, B.N. Melgert
bioRxiv 2021.01.25.428144; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.25.428144

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