EVALUATION OF INFLAMMATORY GENES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF BALB/C MICE EXPOSED TO SECONDARY MICROPLASTICS

• Grant number: 24/17144-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Regiani Carvalho de Oliveira
• Grantee: Natan Azevedo Aguiar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Plastic is an organic polymer derived from fossil materials such as coal, natural gas, and oil. By definition, plastics that range in size between 1¿m and 5mm are referred to as microplastics (MP). MPs can be found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Human exposure to MPs can occur through ingestion and inhalation. Studies indicate that when inhaled, MPs can reach various organs and have even been found in the human olfactory bulb. Several studies suggest that exposure of mice to microplastics triggers an inflammatory response in their respiratory system. Furthermore, most studies on the toxic effects of microplastics (MP) on the respiratory system use virgin microplastics, also known as primary microplastics. However, it is known that the microplastics inhaled by the population are those that have already deteriorated in the environment, referred to as secondary microplastics. The present study aims to evaluate the genes involved in the inflammatory response in the lungs of BALB/c mice exposed to primary polypropylene particles, secondary polypropylene particles, and the synergistic effect of exposure to these polymers and diesel exhaust particles. For this purpose, the mice will be instilled with MPs, and after 28 days, their lungs will be collected and subjected to CBA immunoassay to quantify inflammatory markers, and RNA sequencing will be conducted for further analysis.