PET微塑料暴露诱导骨质疏松的核心靶点和信号通路研究

Core targets and signaling pathways of osteoporosis induced by exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics

  • 摘要: 微塑料污染已成为全球性环境与健康问题,聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)作为常见塑料,是微塑料主要来源之一。骨质疏松症(OP)是一类高发的全身性骨骼疾病,然而目前关于聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯微塑料(PET-MPs)与骨质疏松症之间分子机制关联的研究仍较为匮乏。本研究采用网络毒理学与生物信息学方法,探究二者潜在联系及核心机制。通过PubChem和Swiss Target Prediction获取PET-MPs的靶基因;通过GeneCards、OMIM、TTD、GEO数据库获得OP疾病相关靶点,经交集分析得共同靶点。通过STRING构建蛋白互作网络,Cytoscape软件筛选核心靶点,进行GO/KEGG 富集分析,并用 CB-Dock2 验证分子对接。结果共筛选出67个共同靶点,PPI 显示AKT1、SRC、RAD51等9个基因为核心靶点;GO 分析显示 PET-MPs 主要通过参与化学应激反应、PI3K/Akt 信号转导等过程影响骨质疏松;KEGG主要富集于化学致癌-活性氧通路、VEGF信号通路等;分子对接显示所有核心靶点与PET-MPs均有较好亲和力,RAD51 (−7.4 kcal/mol)和KDR(−7.1 kcal/mol)结合能力最优。研究表明,PET-MPs可通过诱导氧化应激、干扰细胞功能、影响血管生成等途径,破坏骨稳态,进而增加骨质疏松症的发生风险。本研究可为微塑料的骨骼毒性机制研究及后续实验验证提供理论参考。

     

    Abstract: Microplastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental and health concern. As a widely used plastic material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a significant source of microplastics. Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent systemic skeletal disorder; however, current research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) and osteoporosis remains limited. In this study, network toxicology and bioinformatics approaches were employed to explore the potential relationship and core mechanisms between PET-MPs and osteoporosis. Target genes of PET-MPs were retrieved from the PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases, while OP-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, and GEO databases, and common targets were identified through intersection analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, core targets were screened using Cytoscape software, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking verification was conducted via CB-Dock2. A total of 67 common targets were identified, and PPI network analysis revealed 9 core genes, including AKT1, SRC, and RAD51, among others. GO enrichment analysis indicated that PET-MPs affected osteoporosis primarily through processes such as cellular response to chemical stress and PI3K/Akt signal transduction. KEGG enrichment was mainly concentrated in pathways including chemical carcinogenesis–reactive oxygen species and the VEGF signaling pathway. Molecular docking results demonstrated favorable binding affinity between all core targets and PET-MPs, with RAD51 (−7.4 kcal/mol) and KDR (−7.1 kcal/mol) exhibiting the optimal binding affinity. These findings suggest that PET-MPs disrupt bone homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, interfering with cellular functions, and impairing angiogenesis, thereby elevating the risk of osteoporosis. This study provides a theoretical basis for future studies on the skeletal toxicity mechanisms of microplastics and subsequent experimental validation.

     

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