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:2025/phd-defence-j-van-boxel@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260429T021320 LOCATION:Hoofdgebouw, Aula De Boelelaan 1105 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 disruption of micro- and nanoplastics

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

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

Plastics consist of various polymer s (chains) and substances, and these plastics can breakdown into micr oplastics. A growing body of research has shown that microplastics ar e found in various organs, such as the placenta, in the human body, b ut the actual effects are unknown. It is known that the substances ad ded to plastic can disrupt hormones, but we know little about micropl astics themselves. Therefore, this study examined the effects of micr oplastics on placental function. 

Hormone formatio n 
''The study revealed that we see no acute effects in our placental models after exposure to microplastics, but the mic roplastics can transport from the maternal to the fetal side'', van B oxel explains. ''In addition, we found slight disruptions to hormone formation in various placental models, particularly a reduction in es trogen levels. These hormones are crucial for regulating pregnancy.''  

European project 
Van Boxel's r esearch was part of the European AURORA project. The goal was to gain insight into the health effects of microplastics on pregnant women a nd their babies. Gaining this insight is crucial for tightening regul ations regarding plastic production. Van Boxel: "Our research does de monstrate the importance of reducing exposure to microplastics. Curre ntly, there is insufficient research into the health effects that cou ld lead to legislative changes. A follow-up project would be an excel lent way to gather more information about the effects on fertility, f or example." 

All experiments in this dissertation were co nducted in the lab. The placental models used consist of different ce ll types so that a "mini placenta" could be recreated, closely mimick ing the structure and function of the placenta. 

More info rmation on the thesis

DESCRIPTION:

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

Toxicologist Jes ke van Boxel shows that microplastics have no acute effects in placen tal models, but they do transport from the maternal to the fetal side and have a mildly disruptive effect on hormone formation. 

Plastics consist of various polymers (chains) and substan ces, and these plastics can breakdown into microplastics. A growing b ody of research has shown that microplastics are found in various org ans, such as the placenta, in the human body, but the actual effects are unknown. It is known that the substances added to plastic can dis rupt hormones, but we know little about microplastics themselves. The refore, this study examined the effects of microplastics on placental function.  Hormone formation 
''The st udy revealed that we see no acute effects in our placental models aft er exposure to microplastics, but the microplastics can transport fro m the maternal to the fetal side'', van Boxel explains. ''In addition , we found slight disruptions to hormone formation in various placent al models, particularly a reduction in estrogen levels. These hormone s are crucial for regulating pregnancy.''  European proj ect 
Van Boxel's research was part of the European A URORA project. The goal was to gain insight into the health effects o f microplastics on pregnant women and their babies. Gaining this insi ght is crucial for tightening regulations regarding plastic productio n. Van Boxel: "Our research does demonstrate the importance of reduci ng exposure to microplastics. Currently, there is insufficient resear ch into the health effects that could lead to legislative changes. A follow-up project would be an excellent way to gather more informatio n about the effects on fertility, for example."  All experiments in this dissertation were conducted in the lab. The placental models used consist of different cell types so that a "mini placenta" could be recreated, closely mimicking the structure and function of the pl acenta.  More information on the thesis Stowaways: Advan ced in vitro placental models for studying transfer and endocrine dis ruption of micro- and nanoplastics END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR