Emmanouilidou A, Karageorgos FF, Tsoulfas G, Alexopoulos AH. Microplastics in organ transplantation: An emerging threat requiring immediate action. World J Transplant 2026; 16(1): 111980 [DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v16.i1.111980]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Aleck H Alexopoulos, PhD, Senior Researcher, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 6th km Harilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi 57001, Greece. aleck@certh.gr
Research Domain of This Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Transplant. Mar 18, 2026; 16(1): 111980 Published online Mar 18, 2026. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v16.i1.111980
Microplastics in organ transplantation: An emerging threat requiring immediate action
Angeliki Emmanouilidou, Filippos F Karageorgos, Georgios Tsoulfas, Aleck H Alexopoulos
Angeliki Emmanouilidou, Filippos F Karageorgos, Georgios Tsoulfas, Department of Transplantation Surgery, Center for Research and Innovation in Solid Organ Transplantation, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
Aleck H Alexopoulos, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thermi 57001, Greece
Author contributions: Alexopoulos AH wrote the original draft; Emmanouilidou A, Karageorgos FF and Tsoulfas G contributed to conceptualization, writing, reviewing and editing; Alexopoulos AH participated in drafting the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Aleck H Alexopoulos, PhD, Senior Researcher, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 6th km Harilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi 57001, Greece. aleck@certh.gr
Received: July 14, 2025 Revised: August 4, 2025 Accepted: October 10, 2025 Published online: March 18, 2026 Processing time: 183 Days and 22.9 Hours
Abstract
Microplastic contamination has emerged as a threat in transplantation, with evidence of its presence in human tissues and potential to compromise grafts. Transplant recipients, vulnerable due to immunosuppression and surgical exposure, face risk from microplastics via airborne particles, surgical materials, and organ preservation systems. These particles trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation—pathways critical in rejection. Microplastics support biofilm formation, potentially facilitating antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings. Despite this risk, transplant-specific research is lacking. We urge action through environmental controls, material substitutions, and procedural modifications, alongside research targeting exposure pathways, biological impact, and mitigation strategies. Transplantation has historically led medical innovation and must do so in confronting this environmental challenge. Leadership from global transplant societies is essential to protect recipients and ensure safe procedures.
Core Tip: Microplastic contamination poses a hidden risk in organ transplantation, with potential to trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and antimicrobial resistance. This letter calls for urgent research and immediate mitigation strategies, urging the transplant community to lead proactive responses to this emerging threat.
