Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics Promotes the Progression of Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease: Association with Induction of Microglial Pyroptosis

Abstract

We focused on investigating the effects and mechanisms of polystyrene (PS) microplastics in Alzheimer's disease (AD). PS could promote the cognitive impairment in mice and antagonize the action of PS. Meanwhile, it could promote microglial pyroptosis and aggravate neuroinflammation. In vitro results also showed that PS induced pyroptosis of BV2 and RAW264.7, after GSDMD silencing, such pyroptosis was inhibited. Our study found that PS aggravated neuroinflammation by inducing microglial pyroptosis, thereby promoting the progression of cognitive impairment in AD. This finding offers new support and reference for the induction of AD progression by environmental factors.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Cognitive impairment; Neuroinflammation; Polystyrene; Pyroptosis.