Term of Award
Fall 2024
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Biology
Committee Chair
Robert Mans
Committee Member 1
Keri Mans
Committee Member 2
Sara Gremillion
Abstract
Polystyrene nanoplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental contaminants and have been shown to infiltrate multiple organ systems following ingestion. Studies in several animal models and humans have demonstrated that nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, there is evidence that plastics will induce an inflammatory response in the brain involving reactive gliosis of microglia and astrocytes. This process has yet to be thoroughly investigated in the zebrafish model system in the context of micro-/nanoplastic ingestion. In the current study, we examined microglial and astrocytic phenotypes in the adult zebrafish telencephalon after consuming food contaminated with 44 nm polystyrene spheres for 14 and 28 days. The data indicate that neuroinflammation was elevated. Specifically, increased levels of activated microglia were observed via western blot and confocal microscopy following 14 days of polystyrene ingestion, and reactive astroglia were elevated after 28 days of polystyrene ingestion but not after 14 days. Evidence from this study supports the notion that consuming nanoplastic-contaminated food will induce reactive gliosis in the adult zebrafish telencephalon.
Recommended Citation
Kelehear, Hannah A., "Evaluating Reactive Gliosis in the Brain of Adult Zebrafish Following the Ingestion of Nanopolystyrene." (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2853.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/2853
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
Included in
Biology Commons, Cell Biology Commons, Environmental Health Commons, Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons
