The Effect of Microplastics on Mitochondrial Activity, Proliferation and ECM Deposition of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
Faculty Mentor Information
Wendy Harvey, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Microplastics have been found throughout the human body, from lung tissue to the brain. Previous studies show that microplastics accumulate in lung tissue, cross the cell membrane, and disrupt mitochondrial function, although few studies have examined their effects on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The focus of this research is to investigate the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on ASM cell proliferation, mitochondrial activity, ECM deposition and rigidity. Microplastics were collected from the Boise River and Indian Creek and filtered through a 0.4 µm filter to collect the plastics. Samples were dried overnight, reconstituted in deionized water, and autoclaved. With microplastic treatment, we hypothesize cell proliferation and mitochondrial function would decrease, while ECM deposition and rigidity would increase. Cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity were accessed with KI67 image analysis and MTS assay after microplastic treatment. ECM rigidity was measured by intracellular calcium changes after ASM cells were induced to contract. MTS results showed less cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity with microplastic treatment. Given the continued accumulation of microplastic into the environment and water systems, further investigation is needed to better understand their effects on cellular health, ECM remodeling, and their potential role in disease pathogenesis.
The Effect of Microplastics on Mitochondrial Activity, Proliferation and ECM Deposition of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
Microplastics have been found throughout the human body, from lung tissue to the brain. Previous studies show that microplastics accumulate in lung tissue, cross the cell membrane, and disrupt mitochondrial function, although few studies have examined their effects on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The focus of this research is to investigate the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on ASM cell proliferation, mitochondrial activity, ECM deposition and rigidity. Microplastics were collected from the Boise River and Indian Creek and filtered through a 0.4 µm filter to collect the plastics. Samples were dried overnight, reconstituted in deionized water, and autoclaved. With microplastic treatment, we hypothesize cell proliferation and mitochondrial function would decrease, while ECM deposition and rigidity would increase. Cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity were accessed with KI67 image analysis and MTS assay after microplastic treatment. ECM rigidity was measured by intracellular calcium changes after ASM cells were induced to contract. MTS results showed less cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity with microplastic treatment. Given the continued accumulation of microplastic into the environment and water systems, further investigation is needed to better understand their effects on cellular health, ECM remodeling, and their potential role in disease pathogenesis.