BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence J. van Boxel METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20251205T094500 DTEND:20251205T111500 DTSTAMP:20251205T094500 UID:phd-defence-j-van-boxel@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260925T024151 LOCATION:Main building VU, 1105, Aula, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence J. van Boxel X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Stowaways: Advanced in vitro placental models for studying transfer and endocrine disrupt ion of micro- and nanoplastics

Minimal effects of micro- and nanoplastics on the placenta in the lab 

Toxicologist Jeske van Boxel shows that microplastics ha ve no acute effects in placental models, but they do transport from t he maternal to the fetal side and have a mildly disruptive effect on hormone formation. 

Plastics consist of various polymers (chains) and substances, and these plastics can breakdown in to microplastics. A growing body of research has shown that microplas tics are found in various organs, such as the placenta, in the human body, but the actual effects are unknown. It is known that the substa nces added to plastic can disrupt hormones, but we know little about microplastics themselves. Therefore, this study examined the effects of microplastics on placental function. 

Hormone f ormation 
''The study revealed that we see no acute effects in our placental models after exposure to microplastics, but the microplastics can transport from the maternal to the fetal side'' , van Boxel explains. ''In addition, we found slight disruptions to h ormone formation in various placental models, particularly a reductio n in estrogen levels. These hormones are crucial for regulating pregn ancy.'' 

European project 
Van Bo xel's research was part of the European AURORA project. The goal was to gain insight into the health effects of microplastics on pregnant women and their babies. Gaining this insight is crucial for tightenin g regulations regarding plastic production. Van Boxel: "Our research does demonstrate the importance of reducing exposure to microplastics . Currently, there is insufficient research into the health effects t hat could lead to legislative changes. A follow-up project would be a n excellent way to gather more information about the effects on ferti lity, for example." 

All experiments in this dissertation were conducted in the lab. The placental models used consist of diffe rent cell types so that a "mini placenta" could be recreated, closely mimicking the structure and function of the placenta. 

Mo re information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION: Stowaways: Advanced in vitro placental models for studyin g transfer and endocrine disruption of micro- and nanoplastics

Minimal effects of micro- and nanoplastics on the placenta in t he lab 

Toxicologist Jeske van Boxel shows that microplastics have no acute effects in placental models, but the y do transport from the maternal to the fetal side and have a mildly disruptive effect on hormone formation. 

Plastic s consist of various polymers (chains) and substances, and these plas tics can breakdown into microplastics. A growing body of research has shown that microplastics are found in various organs, such as the pl acenta, in the human body, but the actual effects are unknown. It is known that the substances added to plastic can disrupt hormones, but we know little about microplastics themselves. Therefore, this study examined the effects of microplastics on placental function. Hormone formation 
''The study revealed that we see no acute effects in our placental models after exposure to micro plastics, but the microplastics can transport from the maternal to th e fetal side'', van Boxel explains. ''In addition, we found slight di sruptions to hormone formation in various placental models, particula rly a reduction in estrogen levels. These hormones are crucial for re gulating pregnancy.'' European project 
Van Boxel's research was part of the European AURORA project. The go al was to gain insight into the health effects of microplastics on pr egnant women and their babies. Gaining this insight is crucial for ti ghtening regulations regarding plastic production. Van Boxel: "Our re search does demonstrate the importance of reducing exposure to microp lastics. Currently, there is insufficient research into the health ef fects that could lead to legislative changes. A follow-up project wou ld be an excellent way to gather more information about the effects o n fertility, for example." All experiments in this dissertation were conducted in the lab. The placental models used consist of diffe rent cell types so that a "mini placenta" could be recreated, closely mimicking the structure and function of the placenta. More info rmation on the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR