Evaluation of lung microbiota in BALB/c mice exposed to secondary microplastics

• Grant number: 24/17817-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Regiani Carvalho de Oliveira
• Grantee: Giovanna do Val Jaqueira
• 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. Microplastics (MP) are defined as plastic particles between 1 ¿m and 5 mm in size, and can be found in aquatic and terrestrial environments, with human exposure to these particles occurring mainly through ingestion and inhalation. Studies show that, when inhaled, PMs can reach various organs and have even been detected in the human olfactory bulb. Research on mice indicates that exposure to microplastics causes an inflammatory response in the respiratory system. Most studies on the toxic effects of PM on the respiratory system use virgin microplastics, also known as primary microplastics. However, the microplastics inhaled by the population are predominantly secondary, as they have undergone environmental deterioration processes. This study aims to study the responses of the respiratory system and microbiota in the lungs of BALB/c mice exposed to primary polypropylene particles, secondary polypropylene, and the synergistic effect of exposure to these polymers and diesel exhaust particles. The mice will be instilled with PM for 28 days, after which time DNA sequencing and analysis will be carried out in order to characterize the diversity of microorganisms present in the mice's lung samples, data which will then be statistically analysed.