Work

Nanoplastics and chain-length-dependent PFCs disrupt reproductive endocrinology by targeting the PKC - GnRH signaling axis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and frequently co-occurred with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), yet their combined toxic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the combined toxicity of both nano- and micro-sized polystyrene (PS) and two PFCs [perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)] to Brachionus calyciflorus. PFOS exerted markedly higher toxicity effects than PFBS. Both nano-sized (50 nm) and micro-sized (1 μm) PS were examined, and the results showed that particle size strongly modulated toxic outcomes, with nanoplastics producing more pronounced effects than microplastics. Co-exposure to nanoplastics significantly enhanced PFOS reproductive toxicity by promoting oxidative stress and altering reproductive modes, whereas PS combined with PFBS showed no significant synergistic toxicity. Transcriptomic and molecular docking analyses further revealed that both PFOS and PFBS targeted protein kinase C (PKC), implicating disrupted calcium signaling and mitochondrial function as key drivers of reproductive impairment. These findings reveal a novel mode of reproductive toxicity induced by PFCs in invertebrates and highlight the importance of monitoring emerging fluorinated contaminants in combination with nanoplastics. • PFOS (C8) induced stronger reproductive toxicity than PFBS (C4), highlighting carbon chain length effects. • Size-dependent polystyrene microplastics modulated the combined toxicity with perfluorinated compounds. • Nanoscale polystyrene intensified PFOS-mediated oxidative stress and altered reproduction in B. calyciflorus . • Microplastics and PFOS co-exposure impairs reproduction via PKC-mediated Ca²⁺ disruption and hormone dysregulation.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119103

Authors: Xi Li, Yuying Fang, Jinxi Song, Haichao Sha, Le Zhang, Qi Li

Institution: Northwest University

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,650