Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant health threats posed by microplastics, particularly polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP), which disrupt macrophage functions and impair the body's ability to clear apoptotic cells, potentially leading to various health issues [3][4][11]. Group 1: Microplastics and Human Health - Microplastics are pervasive in the environment, found in air, water, soil, food, and beverages, leading to widespread human exposure [6][7]. - The World Health Organization estimates that Americans ingest approximately 5 grams of microplastics daily, with concentrations in blood ranging from 1.84 to 4.65 micrograms per milliliter [6][7]. - Microplastics have been detected in various human organs, including blood, liver, lungs, testicles, spleen, brain, placenta, kidneys, and breast milk [6][7]. Group 2: Impact on Macrophage Function - Exposure to PS-MP directly disrupts the efferocytosis process in macrophages, negatively affecting the function and health of multiple organs, including the lungs, liver, and testicles [4][8]. - The study indicates that PS-MP exposure inhibits the ability of macrophages to internalize and digest apoptotic cells, leading to impaired immune responses [8][12]. - Macrophages loaded with PS-MP show defects in phagocytosis, affecting their ability to clear pathogens such as bacteria and fungi [8][12]. Group 3: Mechanisms of Disruption - The accumulation of methylglyoxal (MGO) in PS-MP-loaded macrophages disrupts metabolic and phagocytic processes, leading to altered protein functions due to glycation [9][12]. - The study identifies that the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is modified in PS-MP-loaded macrophages, which is crucial for the proper digestion of apoptotic cells [9][12]. - Overexpression of the MGO detoxifying enzyme glyoxalase-1 (Glo1) can rescue the efferocytosis defects induced by PS-MP exposure [9][12].