Molecular modeling of nanoplastic transformations in alveolar fluid and impacts on the lung surfactant film.
J Hazard Mater
; 427: 127872, 2022 04 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34862107
ABSTRACT
Airborne nanoplastics can be inhaled to threaten human health, but research on the inhaled nanoplastic toxicity is in its infancy, and interaction mechanisms are largely unknown. By means of molecular dynamics simulation, we employed spherical nanoplastics of different materials and aging properties to predict and elucidate nanoplastic transformations in alveolar fluid and impacts on the lung surfactant (LS) film at the alveolar air-water interface. Results showed spontaneous adsorption of LS molecules on nanoplastics of 10 nm in diameter, and the adsorption layer can be defined as coronas, which increased the particle size, reduced and equalized the surface hydrophobicity, and endowed nanoplastics with negative surface charges. Nanoplastics of polypropylene and polyvinylchloride materials were dissolved by LS, which could increase bioavailability of polymers and toxic additives. Aging properties represented by the nanoplastic size, polymer's molecular weight and surface chemistry altered nanoplastic transformations through modulating competition between polymer-LS and polymer-polymer interactions. Upon transferred to the alveolar air-water interface through vesicle fusion, nanoplastics could interfere with the normal biophysical function of LS through disrupting the LS ultrastructure and fluidity, and prompting collapse of the LS film. These results provide new molecular level insights into fate and toxicity of airborne nanoplastics in human respiratory system.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pulmonary Surfactants
/
Microplastics
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Hazard Mater
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: