Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) microplastics and nanoplastics induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and genotoxicity in human intestinal cells
Abass, Doaa (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Alaraby, Mohamed (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Elkady, Elham Farghal (Institute of Agricultural Research Center (Egypt))
Morataya Reyes, Michelle (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Banaei, Gooya (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Martín Pérez, Joan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Rubio Lorente, Laura (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Barguilla, Irene (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Marcos Dauder, Ricardo (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
Hernández Bonilla, Alba (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)
García Rodríguez, Alba (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon™), widely used in non-stick cookware, can degrade into micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs). This raises concerns about human exposure, which remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we used physiologically relevant in vitro intestinal monoculture and co-culture models (Caco-2/HT29-MTX) to systematically assess the effects of PTFE-MNPLs (∼250 nm and ∼2 µm) at concentrations of 50-200 µg/mL over 24-48 h. PTFE-MNPLs, particularly nanosized particles, readily entered both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. They interacted with nuclear membranes and mitochondria, inducing structural and physiological disturbances without significantly affecting cell viability. These interactions led to mitochondrial damage and triggered inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The severity of these effects increased with particle size, dose, and exposure duration. These findings challenge the assumption that PTFE particles are biologically inert, highlighting hazards arising from their physical interactions, especially at the nanoscale. Given the relevance of the co-culture in vitro model of intestinal barrier to human intestinal physiology, the results underscore potential intestinal health risks from PTFE-MNPL exposure. Future studies should focus on chronic, low-dose exposures to elucidate the specific cellular pathways activated by PTFE-MNPL exposure.
Grants:	European Commission 965196 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2020-116789RB-C43 Generalitat de Catalunya 2021/SGR-00731 Generalitat de Catalunya 2020/BP-00027 Generalitat de Catalunya 2022/BP-00026
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Note:	L. Rubio and A. García-Rodríguez were granted with a Pre-Competitiu Project (PPC-24) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; A. Hernández was granted an ICREA ACADEMIA award
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Teflon™ ; Micro/nanoplastics ; Human ; Intestinal barrier ; Oxidative stress ; Genotoxicity ; Mitochondrial damage
Published in:	Journal of hazardous materials, Vol. 499 (November 2025) , art. 140255, ISSN 1873-3336

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140255

13 p, 12.2 MB

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