Polystyrene microplastics mediate inflammatory responses in the chicken thymus by Nrf2/NF-κB pathway and trigger autophagy and apoptosis

Microplastics (MPs) are a hot environmental contaminant now. However, researchers paid little attention to their effects on immune organs such as the thymus. Here, we exposed chickens to a concentration gradient of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and then followed the decrease in the thymus index. HE staining showed cellular infiltration in the thymus. The assay kit corroborated that PS-MPs impelled oxidative stress in the thymus: increased MDA levels, downregulated antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, and GSH, and significantly undermined total antioxidant capacity. Western blotting and qRT-PCR results showed that Nrf2/NF-κB, Bcl-2/Bax, and AKT signaling pathways were activated in the thymus after exposure to PS-MPs. It stimulated the increased expression of downstream such as IL-1β, caspase-3, and Beclin1, triggering thymus inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. This study provides new insights into the field of microplastic immunotoxicity and highlights potential environmental hazards in poultry farming.