Microplastics in atherosclerotic plaque: bystander or driver of harm?

Plastics production has accelerated globally, with most terminating in the environment. Plastics degrade over time into micro (<5mm) and nano (<1000nm) plastic particles (MNP) that are ingested. MNPs have been implicated in atherosclerosis and even human clinical outcomes but mechanisms remain obscure. We describe our recent data quantifying MNPs in human vascular specimens ranging from carotid artery to aorta to femoral artery and dissect the similarities and differences in polymer content and correlated disease state. We then explore insights from preclinical models of dietary MNP exposure using natural-derived nanoplastics and their effects on atherosclerotic plaque development in mice. This work also yields valuable new associations between diet type and organ MNP accumulation. Finally, we dive into possible ultracellular mechanisms associated with nanoplastic uptake at the cellular level including differential effects of polymer types on lysosomal distress and autophagy-related processes.