Anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory responses in macrophages are influenced by cellular metabolism. Macrophages are the primary phagocyte in mucosal environments (i.e., intestinal tract and lungs) acting as first-line defense against microorganisms and environmental pollutants. Given the extensive contamination of our food and water sources with microplastics, we aimed to examine the metabolic response in macrophages to microplastic particles (MPs). Utilizing murine macrophages, we assessed the metabolic response of macrophages after polystyrene MP phagocytosis. The phagocytosis of MP by macrophages induced a metabolic shift toward glycolysis and a reduction in mitochondrial respiration that was associated with an increase of cell surface markers CD80 and CD86 and cytokine gene expression associated with glycolysis. The gastrointestinal consequences of this metabolic switch in the context of an immune response remain uncertain, but the global rise of plastic pollution and MP ingestion potentially poses an unappreciated health risk.

Graphical abstract

Macrophage phagocytosis of microplastics alters cellular metabolism.

- Macrophages cannot degrade PS MP.

- MP phagocytosis increases glycolysis in murine macrophages.

- MP phagocytosis reduces mitochondrial respiration in murine macrophages.

中文翻译：

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聚苯乙烯微塑料在巨噬细胞中诱导免疫代谢活性状态

巨噬细胞的抗炎和促炎反应受细胞代谢的影响。巨噬细胞是粘膜环境（即肠道和肺）中的主要吞噬细胞，是抵御微生物和环境污染物的第一道防线。鉴于我们的食物和水源受到微塑料的广泛污染，我们旨在检查巨噬细胞对微塑料颗粒 (MP) 的代谢反应。利用小鼠巨噬细胞，我们评估了聚苯乙烯 MP 吞噬后巨噬细胞的代谢反应。巨噬细胞对 MP 的吞噬作用导致代谢转变为糖酵解和线粒体呼吸减少，这与细胞表面标志物 CD80 和 CD86 的增加以及与糖酵解相关的细胞因子基因表达有关。

图形概要

微塑料的巨噬细胞吞噬作用改变细胞代谢。

- 巨噬细胞不能降解 PS MP。

- MP 吞噬作用增加了小鼠巨噬细胞的糖酵解。

- MP 吞噬作用减少鼠类巨噬细胞中的线粒体呼吸。