Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder.

In common with the increase in environmental pollution in the past 10 years, there has also been a recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, we hypothesized that exposure to microplastics is a potential risk factor for ASD. To evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we initially examined the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) in the brains of mice and then assessed the behavioral effects using mouse models at different life stages, namely, prenatal, post-weaning, puberty, and adult models. Based on typical behavioral assessments of autistic traits in the model mice, we established that ASD-like traits were induced in mice after PE feeding. In addition, we examined the induction of ASD-like traits in response to microplastic exposure using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and microbiome analysis. We believe these findings provide evidence in microplastics as a potential risk factor for ASD.

Isolation and partial characterisation of the Triton X-100 solubilised protein antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

This report describes extraction of a new native antigen fraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis without massive degradation of proteins by Triton X-100. The Triton X-100 solubilised protein (TSP) antigen showed a characteristic antigen profile and reproducible extraction pattern. To characterise the nature of their composition, the TSP antigen was fractionated by Triton X-114 phase partitioning. The TSP antigen contained a variety of lipids and glycoconjugates as well as diverse proteins. Most proteins were partitioned into the aqueous phase during phase fractionation, whereas non-protein molecules and lipoproteins were recovered in the detergent phase. The lymphoproliferative responses to the TSP aqueous fraction in healthy tuberculin reactors were significantly higher than those to the purified protein derivative (PPD) and unfractionated TSP. In contrast, the antibody responses to TSP aqueous fraction in tuberculosis patients showed weak reactivity. This study suggests that the TSP aqueous fraction can be used as a T-cell antigen associated with protective immunity against tuberculosis.