---

Presenter: Danae Angeliki Dimitrakopoulos

Faculty Sponsor: Jungwoo Lee

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Session: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, 165, D8

ABSTRACT

In this study, we investigate the impact of microplastics on the bone remodeling cycle in vitro, utilizing a unique demineralized bone paper (DBP) model to test microplastic integration within bone tissue mineral, osteoblast (OB) and osteoclast (OC) activity, and cellular responses that determine bone mechanical properties. Microplastics are increasingly found in human tissues; however, potential effects on bone homeostasis are not fully understood. Bone remodeling is a tightly regulated process between OBs and OCs that may be disrupted by microplastic particles, causing clear skeletal health implications. We hypothesize that microplastic particles integrate into the mineralized bone matrix and are capable of altering the natural signaling molecule profile of bone metabolism. To test this, we used an in vitro DBP model that replicates the complexity of native bone extracellular matrix and acts as a scaffold for cellular interactions. Osteoblasts were cultured with fluorescent microplastic particles (3.05 µg/mL) and imaged throughout mineralization using an EVOS imaging system and confocal microscopy to localize particles relative to mineral deposition. In a second experiment, we ran a co-culture with OBs, bone marrow mononuclear cells (OC precursors), and microplastics to simulate physiological bone remodeling conditions. Experimental groups were compared to controls that did not contain microplastics and were cultured on DBP scaffolds and traditional tissue culture plastic.

Preliminary imaging results demonstrate microplastic integration within the cellular layer during mineral deposition on DBP scaffolds. These findings suggest microplastics may physically integrate into developing bone tissue and potentially affect signaling pathways that influence osteoclastogenesis. This work provides a framework for understanding how microplastics can impact bone remodeling.