Multiomics analysis reveals the molecular basis for increased body weight in silkworms (Bombyx mori) exposed to environmental concentrations of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.09.010
• Publication Date: 2023-09-22T04:38:38Z
• Authors: Abrar Muhammad; Nan Zhang; Jintao He; Xiaoqiang Shen; Xinyue Zhu; Jian Xiao; Zhaoyi Qian; Chao Sun; Yongqi Shao
• Keywords: Biota; Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants that have raised serious concerns about their potential impact on ecosystem organism health. Despite increasing efforts to investigate the impacts of micro- biota little is known terrestrial organisms, especially insects, at concentrations. To address this gap, we used an insect model, silkworm Bombyx mori examine long-term different sizes polystyrene (PS) MNPs environmentally realistic concentrations (0.25 1.0 μg/mL). After exposure PS-MNPs over most larval lifetime (from second last instar), endpoints were examined by integrated physiological (growth survival) multiomics approach (metabolomics, 16S rRNA, transcriptomics). Our results indicated dietary exposures had no lethal effect survivorship, but interestingly, increased host body weight. Multiomics analysis revealed significantly altered multiple pathways, particularly lipid metabolism, leading enriched energy reserves. Furthermore, changed structure composition gut microbiome abundance bacteria Acinetobacter Enterococcus. Notably, predicted functional profiles metabolite expressions correlated with bacterial abundance. Importantly, these observed effects particle size-dependent ranked as PS-S (91.92 nm) > PS-M (5.69 µm) PS-L (9.7 µm). Overall, exerted stimulatory metabolism subsequently enhanced weight in silkworms, suggesting chronic might trigger gain animals humans influencing microbiota homeostasis.