Microplastics Increase Cancer Risk and Lung Damage in Asthma and COPD Patients: Study Finds
Poland: A recent simulation study published in Scientific Reports revealed that individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more susceptible to epithelial cell alterations triggered by microplastic exposure than healthy individuals. Researchers emphasized that inhaled microplastic fibers can induce oxidative stress, local lung injury, and cytotoxicity, though data on their effects on obstructive lung diseases remain limited.
The researchers note that microplastics, formed by the breakdown of plastics due to environmental factors, are found in air, water, and food. Airborne microplastic fibers from textiles, tires, and industrial sources can be inhaled and accumulate in the lungs. Their small size makes them difficult to clear, leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential lung injury. These particles also act as carriers for pollutants, increasing health risks, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions.
Inhaled microplastic particles can accumulate in the lungs, potentially triggering immune reactions and damaging airway tissues. Magdalena Paplińska-Goryca, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, Warsaw, Poland, and colleagues examined how polyamide fibers affect nasal epithelial cells co-cultivated with macrophages in individuals with asthma, COPD, and healthy controls.
For this purpose, the researchers identified 10 adults aged 18 years or older with asthma, eight adults aged 40 years or older with COPD, and 11 healthy controls. Participants with severe asthma or COPD, unstable or uncontrolled conditions, malignancies, or other chronic or acute lung diseases were excluded. Nasal epithelial cells were collected from all participants and exposed to laboratory-generated microplastic fibers for analysis.
Key Findings:
- Asthmatic and COPD airway epithelial cells exhibited a distinct response to microplastic fiber stimulation compared to healthy epithelial cells.
- The most notable effects were linked to Th2 inflammation, modulation of stress response, and carcinogenesis.
- There were no significant differences in cytotoxicity or minor inflammatory effects between patients with asthma or COPD and healthy controls.
- Flow cytometric analysis revealed a higher presence of CD24+ epithelial cells in asthma patients after exposure to microplastics compared to controls.
The researchers highlighted that several gene candidates identified through RNA-Seq analysis were associated with cancer, as they are upregulated in various cancer types according to existing literature. They further noted that the activation of CD24 on primarily ciliated asthmatic epithelial cells following microplastic stimulation reinforced this link.
However, they acknowledged certain limitations in the study. Using nasal epithelial cells instead of bronchial cells may have restricted the depth of findings. Additionally, patients with severe asthma and COPD were excluded to avoid potential biases caused by oral steroids and antibiotic use, which could influence epithelial cell immunology.
"Despite these limitations, the results indicate that the structural impairment of the airway epithelium in obstructive lung diseases amplifies the impact of microplastic particles compared to a healthy epithelium," the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Wróbel, M., Adamska, D., Rachowka, J., Królikowska, M., Goryca, K., & Krenke, R. (2025). The impaired response of nasal epithelial cells to microplastic stimulation in asthma and COPD. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87242-x
