Toxic effects of nanoplastics on a model of dog aortic cells

Nanoplastic fragments (NP) are a growing concern and using dog aortic endothelial cells (CnAEOC) and fluorescence microscopy, we observed an interaction between NP and cells, demonstrating a localization at the cytoplasmic level. Furthermore, the data collected show a disruption of both cell proliferation and metabolic activity. The results also show the induction of oxidative stress. In detail, NP caused an increase in the levels of ROS production and an inhibition of enzymatic defence systems. On the contrary, there was no alteration of the non-enzymatic defence mechanism. The analysis conducted to evaluate a possible induction of autophagy, a survival mechanism implemented by cells, following exposure to NP reported the absence of autophagy involvement in the model analysed. Finally, investigations were conducted regarding the involvement of NP in gene expression processes. Both RNA-seq and RT-PCR did not highlight differentially expressed genes in treated cells. • Nanoplastics (NP) were studied in canine aortic endothelial cells (CnAOEC) • NP affected cell proliferation and metabolic activity • NP induced oxidative stress • Endothelial cell function could be disrupted by NP