Journal Article

DZNE-2026-01101

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Size-dependent plastic exposure disrupts macrophage function and tissue-specific metabolism.

Makdissi, N.Extern* ; Viola, M. F. ; Steinheuer, L. M. ; Blank-Stein, N. ; Kardinal, R. ; Musacchio, F.DZNE* ; Franco Taveras, E. ; Aliprandi, V. ; Sieckmann, K. ; Abdulkadyrov, A. ; Mayer, M. L. ; Diefenbach-Wilke, M.-L. ; Fink, D. ; Beckert, H. ; Böhmdorfer, S. ; Deveuve, Q. ; Graelmann, F. J. ; Mauel, K. ; Kronau, N. ; Thomas, J. ; Bejarano, D. ; Schlitzer, A. ; Högler, S. ; Yaghmour, M. H. ; Heeren, J. ; Thiele, C. ; Kenner, L. ; Meissner, F. ; Nimmerjahn, F. ; Fuhrmann, M.DZNE* ; Wachten, D. ; Thurley, K. ; Mass, E.

2026
Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s42255-026-01615-8

Abstract: Plastic pollution is an emerging yet understudied environmental risk to the immune system. Once ingested, microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) can translocate from the gut to internal organs1-3, with macrophages serving as primary targets4. Kupffer cells (KCs), the liver-resident macrophages, have a central role in immune surveillance and metabolism5, yet their response to MNPs remains unclear. Here we identify KCs as the primary hepatic reservoir for MNPs in young male mice. Chronic plastic exposure over 12 weeks alters their transcriptional profile, impairs phagocytic function and is associated with metabolic dysregulation of hepatocytes. Microplastics, but not nanoplastics, reduce KC-mediated clearance of circulating cells. Under diet-induced obesity, microplastics exacerbate hepatic lipid accumulation, while nanoplastics alter systemic glucose metabolism and energy expenditure. These findings demonstrate that chronic MNP exposure disrupts macrophage function in a size-dependent manner, with subsequent distinct consequences for liver and systemic metabolism.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Mice (MeSH) ; Kupffer Cells: drug effects (MeSH) ; Kupffer Cells: metabolism (MeSH) ; Macrophages: drug effects (MeSH) ; Macrophages: metabolism (MeSH) ; Liver: metabolism (MeSH) ; Liver: drug effects (MeSH) ; Phagocytosis: drug effects (MeSH) ; Plastics: toxicity (MeSH) ; Microplastics: toxicity (MeSH) ; Mice, Inbred C57BL (MeSH) ; Environmental Exposure (MeSH) ; Plastics ; Microplastics

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Neuroimmunology and Imaging (AG Fuhrmann)

Research Program(s):

1. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 20 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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