Identification of translational ncRNA biomarker candidates for nano-polystyrene induced brain injury using next-generation sequencing

The exposure to nano-plastics affects mammalian neurotoxic hazard characterization remains to be determined. Our aim was to investigate the neurotoxicity of nano-plastics in rodents. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and 50 mg/kg body weight PS NPs treatment groups. Before treatment, animals were fasted overnight. PS NPs were suspended into waters, vigorously stirred. The PS NPs via oral gavage once per day and for 6 months. The mice were treated with water in control group. We found that exposure to PS NPs caused cognitive decline. PS NPs exposure influenced the prefrontal cortex cells with more pathological alteration with increasing dosage. High-throughput RNA sequencing was conducted to explore miRNA expression in prefrontal cortex. Sixty-seven differentially expressed circRNAs were detected, including 25 upregulated and 42 downregulated circRNAs. We also explored 987 differentially expressed mRNAs, including 477 upregulated and 510 downregulated mRNAs. Mice exposure PS NPs for half year and identified of translational circRNA, LncRNA as well as mRNA