Inhaled microplastics inhibit key immune cell in the lungs
Study also shows how macrophage function can be restored after exposure
American Thoracic Society
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Adam Soloff, PhD, associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and first author of the study.
view moreCredit: Adam Soloff, MD
Session: B15—Macrophages: The Pac-Man of the Immune System
Inhaled Microplastics Inhibit Tissue Maintenance Functions of Pulmonary Macrophages
ATS 2025, San Francisco – Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, and we all routinely inhale these tiny pollutants. Now new research published at the ATS 2025 International Conference has found that inhaled microplastics suppress pulmonary macrophages, a type of white blood cell found in the lungs that are critical to the immune system.
The findings shed new light on the mechanisms through which microplastic exposure leads to long-term disruption of immune function and increases risk of cancer and other diseases. These risks aren’t limited to the lungs but can affect the entire body.
“For me, it’s a bit eye opening that although microplastics aren’t the most dangerous agent we may encounter, they are far from benign,” said Adam Soloff, PhD, associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and first author of the study. “Respiratory microplastics disseminate systemically after passing through the lung and negatively affect macrophage function. Overall, these may have detrimental effects on any and all organ systems and contribute to a number of diseases.”
Macrophages are the most abundant immune cell of the lung and play a critical role. These cells work as immune housekeepers, devouring pathogens and maintaining tissue homeostasis. They also clear away dead lung cells, which can cause chronic inflammation when they’re left to accumulate.
For the study, researchers cultured macrophages with polystyrene microplastics at different sizes and concentrations. They also exposed mice to inhaled microplastics and then measured the effects on the animals’ macrophage function.
They found that within 24 hours of exposure to microplastics of any size, the macrophages showed a reduced ability to surround and absorb other bacteria, a critical process called phagocytosis. Microplastic particles were readily detected in the liver, spleen and colon with trace amounts in the brain and kidney for up to a week after being inhaled.
Researchers also found that the drug Acadesine, an AMP kinase activator, was able to partially restore macrophage function after microplastic exposures.
Dr. Soloff said the results were surprising.
“When we first started to discuss these microplastic exposures, I was sure that the macrophages would just eat (phagocytose) and digest them (lysosomally process), and that would be the end of it,” he said. “I was really surprised to see that not only did the macrophages struggle to break down the plastics in vitro, but macrophages in the lung retained these particles over time as well.”
In addition to driving public health measures to reduce the use of plastics overall, the findings could support the use of drugs like Acadesine in at-risk populations.
“Given the poor air quality in so many places around the world, you could imagine that developing a low-cost, low-side-effect therapeutic to restore pulmonary macrophage function may be an important tool to combat increasing rates of lung disease,” Dr. Soloff said.
Next, the team will examine microplastic exposure in lung tissues from patients, with a long-term goal of establishing biomarkers for lung disease and lung cancer risk that could be used to trigger early screening or intervention.
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A turning point in medicine: phage therapy moves from promise to practice
Berlin to host groundbreaking international conference targeting the clinical future of bacteriophages
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A Turning Point in Medicine: Phage Therapy Moves from Promise to Practice
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Credit: @ Phage Therapy 2025 Meeting
Berlin, Germany – As antibiotic resistance accelerates into a global crisis, phage therapy is emerging as one of the most promising—and urgent—solutions in modern medicine. From June 10–11, 2025, the international scientific and medical community will gather in Berlin for Targeting Phage Therapy 2025, the leading global event focused on translating phage research into clinical reality.
With the theme “From Bench to Bedside: Accelerating Clinical Applications of Phage Therapy”, this year’s program brings together global leaders across infectious diseases, oncology, microbiome science, regulatory affairs, and biotechnology.
Strategic Aim: Clinical Implementation of Phage Therapy
This year’s edition is strategically designed to fast-track the integration of phage-based therapeutics into routine clinical practice. Key sessions will explore:
- Ongoing clinical trials in cystic fibrosis, melanoma, and burn infections
- Engineered phages for cancer and personalized microbiome modulation
- Innovative delivery systems, from inhaled phages to hydrogels and tablets
- Legal and regulatory frameworks enabling real-world phage deployment
- GMP manufacturing pipelines and market access strategies
“The field has matured. The science is here. Now, our focus is clear: scale up production, secure regulatory approval, and deliver precision phage therapies to the patients who need them,” says Prof. Marvin Edeas, Chairman of the Scientific Committee.
Highlights from the 2025 Program – Major Speakers Include:
"Keynote Speech – Phage Therapy 2030: Getting from here to there"
- Robert T. Schooley – University of California, San Diego (USA)
"Bacteriophage Therapy: A Renaissance – From Military Medicine to Civilian Healthcare"
- Christian Willy – Academic Hospital Bundeswehr Berlin (Germany)
"Complex Phage Communities Control Gut (im)balances and May Hold the Key to Restore Gut Biosis"
- Dennis Sandris Nielsen – University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
"Inhaled Bacteriophage Therapy for Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Advances & Perspectives"
- Gail L. Stanley – Yale University (USA)
"KlebPhaCol: Novel Gut Phage Order Associated with the Human Gut"
- Franklin Nobrega – University of Southampton (United Kingdom)
"Optimizing the Phage-Bacteria Ratio in Phage Therapy: Metagenomic Insights into Microbial Balance and Dysbiosis"
- Domenico Frezza – University of Roma Tor Vergata (Italy)
"Phage Defense Systems: Are they an Obstacle for Phage Therapy?"
- Stan J.J. Brouns – Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)
"Biocontrol of Phage Resistance in Pseudomonas Infections – Fitness Trade-Offs Between Phages and Antibiotic Sensitivity"
- Jumpei Fujiki – Rakuno Gakuen University (Japan)
"Yersinia Phage Stories: Impact on Phage Therapy"
- Mikael Skurnik – University of Helsinki (Finland)
"Targeting Tumors with Engineered Phages: A New Frontier in Precision Oncology"
- Alberto Danielli – University of Bologna (Italy)
"Engineering Phages for Cancer Therapy: Insights into Immune Interactions and Targeting in Ex-Vivo and In-Vivo Models"
- Alena Kaltenbrunner – University of Bologna (Italy)
"Endolysin B as a New Approach & Archetype in M. Tuberculosis Treatment"
- Loris Rizzello – University of Milan (Italy)
"Ex vivo pig lung as a new Cystic Fibrosis model for the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infection and phage therapy application"
- Marco Cafora – University of Milan (Italy)
"Translating Phage Therapy into the Clinic: Recent Accomplishments and Next Challenges"
- Jeremy Barr – Monash University (Australia)
"Bacteriophage Therapy for Critical Infections Related to Cardiothoracic Surgery"
- Christian Kühn – Hannover Medical School (Germany)
"Phage Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Presentation of First Clinical Trial in Japan"
- Hidetomo Iwano – Rakuno Gakuen University (Japan)
"Bacteriophages Applications in Broiler Farms: Strategies & Perspectives"
- Sandra Sevilla-Navarro – Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (Spain)
"Phage Therapy in Europe: Legal, Regulatory and Ethic Issues"
- Barbara Brenner – Kanzlei BRENNER (Germany)
Among the companies who will attend the congress:
Jafral (Supporter)
Amazon
Apothekendienstleistungen
Aptar Radolfzell GmbH
Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana
ArGe Teknoloji Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
FagoFarma
TiPHAGE
Grachtenhaus-Apotheke e.K.
German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH
Inteliphage
Kanzlei BRENNER
Komplementäre Tiermedizin GmbH
LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG
Laboklin Phage Center
Laboratorios Syva
MB Pharma
MicrobiotiX
Medios AG
Nordmark Pharma
Otsuka Pharmaceutical CO.
Phileo by Lesaffre
Phagos
Precise Health SA
PrecisionPhage
Poulpharm
Qiagen
Rime Bioinformatics
Salem Microbes
A Defining Moment for Antibacterial Innovation
As resistance to antibiotics continues to grow, phage therapy is moving from scientific promise to clinical necessity. With over 75 communications, live discussions, and poster sessions attendees from 27 countires, the event aims to chart the course for clinical access, regulatory harmonization, and global collaborations.
For media inquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, visit: www.phagetherapy-site.com
MEDIA KIT
Phage Therapy: The Hottest Frontier in Tomorrow’s Medicine
Targeting Phage Therapy 2025
June 10–11, 2025 – Berlin, Germany
Website: www.phagetherapy-site.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Email: contact@phagetherapy-site.com
EVENT OVERVIEW
- Title: Targeting Phage Therapy 2025
- Dates: June 10–11, 2025
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Format: In-person Conference
- Organized by: International Society of Microbiota (ISM)
Strategic Theme:
“From Bench to Bedside: Accelerating Clinical Applications of Phage Therapy”
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- 75+ talks and presentations from global experts coming from 27 Countries
- Real-world clinical trials in cystic fibrosis, burn wounds, and TB
- Live GMP manufacturing and regulatory strategy sessions
- Cross-sector focus: Human health, oncology, veterinary, agriculture
- Legal, ethical and market access discussions with EU stakeholders
PRESS MATERIALS
- High-resolution conference logo
Poster & social media banners (JPEG/PNG) - Full program (PDF)
- Press release
- Interview coordination available upon request
SOCIAL MEDIA & TAGS
Hashtags:
#PhageTherapy2025 | #Microbiome | #FutureOfMedicine | #PrecisionInfectiousCare
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/phage-therapy-task-force/
QUOTES FOR MEDIA USE
“Phage therapy is no longer experimental—it’s strategic. This conference marks the inflection point where science becomes practice.”
— Prof. Marvin Edeas, Chair, Scientific Committee
SEE
https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=PHAGES
https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=PHAGE
https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=BIOPHAGES
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