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Plastic particles of diameters ranging from 1 to 1000 nm and > 1 µm to 5 mm are respectively known as nanoplastics and microplastics, and are collectively termed micro(nano)plastics (MNPs). They are ubiquitously present in aquatic and terrestrial environments, posing adverse multifaceted ecological impacts. Recent transgenerational studies have demonstrated that MNPs negatively impact both the exposed parents and their unexposed generations. Therefore, this review summarizes the available research on the transgenerational impacts of MNPs in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, induced by exposure to MNPs alone or in combination with other organic and inorganic chemicals. The most commonly reported transgenerational effects of MNPs include tissue bioaccumulation and transfer, affecting organisms' survival, growth, reproduction, and energy metabolism; inducing oxidative stress; enzyme and genetic responses; and causing tissue damage. Similarly, co-exposure to MNPs and chemicals (organic and inorganic pollutants) significantly impacts survival, growth, and reproduction and induces oxidative stress, thyroid disruption, and genetic toxicity in organisms. The characteristics of MNPs (degree of aging, size, shape, polymer type, and concentration), exposure type and duration (parental exposure vs. multigenerational exposure and acute exposure vs. chronic exposure), and MNP-chemical interactions are the main factors affecting transgenerational impacts. Selecting MNP properties based on their realistic environmental behavior, employing more diverse animal models, and considering chronic exposure and MNP-chemical mixture exposure are salient research prospects for an in-depth understanding of the transgenerational impacts of MNPs. [Display omitted] • Transgenerational toxicity of MNPs was reviewed in aquatic and terrestrial animals. • Polystyrene polymer and spherical-shaped MNPs were most commonly investigated. • MNPs and chemicals were transferred from exposed parents to unexposed descendants. • Oxidative stress, growth & genetic toxicity were the most commonly found impacts. • Toxicity is influenced by MNP properties, chemical interactions, and exposure type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging environmental contaminants with alarming ecological and human health concerns due to their unique physicochemical properties. This study elucidates the impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations (ERCs, 300 and 3000 ng/L) and sublethal concentrations (SLCs, 300 and 3000 μg/L) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, size 80 nm) on the intestinal immune response and gut microbiota of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Exposure to SLCs showed greater accumulation of NPs in gut and gill tissue, and more pronounced gut damage (vacuolization of gut villi) compared to ERCs. SLCs significantly increased ROS levels with increasing exposure duration and exposure concentration (p < 0.05). In addition, SLCs significantly increased the transcription levels of several immune response-related genes such as IL-6 , IL-8 , IL-10 , IL-1β , and TNF-α (p < 0.05). However, the ERC exposure group at 3000 ng/L significantly increased the expression levels of IL-10 and TNF-α , compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, PS-NPs at both ERCs and SLCs significantly alter grass carp gut microbiota at the phylum and genus levels and disrupts microbial community composition and homeostasis (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota was increased after PS-NPs exposure, while that of Spirochaetota and Fusobacteriota decreased. At the genus level, the number of beneficial bacteria decreased and the number of pathogenic bacteria increased. Our findings suggest that PS-NPs at the level of ERCs and SLCs can induce inflammation of the intestine and microbiota imbalance in grass carp. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the gut toxicity of PS-NPs under environmentally relevant conditions in freshwater commercial fish. These experimental results suggest that PS-NPs may indirectly damage grass carp intestinal epithelium by modulating the gut microbiota, thereby damaging the grass carp gut. Hence, this study provides valuable hints on the intestinal barrier structure and functional damage mediated by NPs exposure. [Display omitted] • PS-NPs' effects at environmental & sublethal concentrations on grass carp were investigated. • SLCs induced higher PS-NPs accumulation in the gills and intestines. • SLCs caused higher oxidative stress and structural damage in intestinal tissues. • ERCs and SLCs produced similar changes in the microbiome composition. • Both ERCs and SLCs caused significant gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]