The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Nanopolystyrene-carried bisphenol A promote the blood-brain barrier dysfunction and neuroinflammation in the developing brain
ID:530 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:30 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 15 - Marine Micro- and Nano-Plastics: Novel Methods, Environmental Fate and Ecological Effects

Abstract
Nanopolystyrene (NPs), a common byproduct of plastic degradation, and bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, can co-exist in the environment as NPs-carried BPA (NPs-BPA) complexes. This is especially relevant in the ocean, where the breakdown of plastic waste generates NPs that adsorb BPA and other organic pollutants present in seawater. As a result, such complexes may become widely distributed along coastal areas and throughout marine ecosystems, raising concern about their effects on ecological health. Despite this, most studies have examined NPs or BPA separately, and few have investigated the toxicity of NPs-BPA, particularly its effects on neurodevelopment. To address this gap, we investigated the neurotoxic effects of NPs-BPA using both in vitro and in vivo models. NPs-BPA exposure caused pronounced amoeboid changes in primary microglia, an effect not observed with NPs or BPA alone. In mice, maternal NPs-BPA exposure similarly increased blood-brain barrier permeability and raised the number of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus and cortex. These changes were accompanied by amoeboid microglial transformation and reactive astrogliosis. At the mechanistic level, NPs-BPA exposure activated NF-κB signaling, which led to a marked increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, adult offspring maternally exposed to NPs-BPA showed significant deficits in recognition and spatial memory, along with increased depressive-like behavior. Collectively, these findings suggest that maternal NPs-BPA exposure disrupts normal brain development and triggers lasting neuroinflammation, raising concerns about the neurodevelopmental risks of nanoplastic-adsorbed endocrine disruptors amid ongoing marine plastic pollution.
Speaker
Dohyo Lim Pusan National University

Author
Dohyo Lim Pusan National University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027