@article{01JSVBX5Q3TG2W8D0449FYFPM7,
  abstract     = {{Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) are pollutants of global concern due to their persistence, ubiquity, and associated risks. Laboratory studies, however, have predominantly focused on pristine MNPs, which do not adequately reflect the characteristics of environmental plastic debris. To address this gap, this study investigated the cellular and tissue-level responses of mussels (𝘔𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴) to aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MNPs (diameter 600 nm to 3.1 µm) at three environmentally relevant concentrations: 10, 10^3 , and 10^5 particles/L. The 
particles’ physicochemical characteristics and stability in exposure media were analyzed using a combination of 
advanced analytical techniques. The biological responses were analyzed across multiple effect endpoints during 
both the exposure (days 1, 3, 7, and 14) and the subsequent recovery periods (3 and 10 days post-exposure), via 
flow cytometry and histopathology. The results revealed the sensitivity of hemocyte subpopulations, including 
granulocytes and hyalinocytes, to aged PET MNPs. Concentration- and time-dependent changes in lysosomal 
stability, oxidative activity, and hemocyte mortality were observed, demonstrating both immediate cellular 
perturbations and recovery potential to alleviate particle-induced effects. Histopathological analysis of key tis
sues exhibited significant alterations, particularly in the gill, suggesting potential impairment of essential 
physiological functions. No mussel mortality or significant changes in growth metrics were observed under the 
tested experimental conditions. These findings underscore the systemic impacts across multiple tissues of aged 
MNP exposure and highlight the importance of adopting integrative, environmentally realistic approaches to 
assess the biological consequences in future research.}},
  articleno    = {{107369}},
  author       = {{Hara, Jenevieve and Oraño, Gethrie B. and Vercauteren, Maaike and Mubiana, Kayawe Valentine and Janssen, Colin and Blust, Ronny and Asselman, Jana and Town, Raewyn M.}},
  issn         = {{0166-445X}},
  journal      = {{AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY}},
  keywords     = {{Aged micro- and nanoplastics,Polyethylene terephthalate,Environmentally relevant concentrations,Histopathology,Immunotoxicity,Mussels,Aged micro-and nanoplastics,HISTOPATHOLOGICAL INDEXES,DIGESTIVE GLAND,MICROPLASTICS,EXPOSURE,NANOPARTICLES,ACCUMULATION,CADMIUM,SPP.,NANO}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{12}},
  title        = {{Cellular and tissue-level responses of mussels (Mytilus edulis) to aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro- and nanoplastic particles}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107369}},
  volume       = {{283}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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