Abstract

Nanoplastics (NPs) exhibit neurotoxicity, yet the precise molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we established a human-relevant polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 50 mg kg −1 ) oral exposure model in C57BL/6 mice in vivo and a neuro-immune microglial–neuron co-culture system (HMC-3/SH-SY5Y cells) in vitro to dissect these mechanisms. We demonstrate that PS-NPs exposure triggers microglial M1 activation and drives neuronal senescence. Mechanistically, PS-NPs activate the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-B56γ subunit, which selectively dephosphorylates the ribosome biogenesis regulator ErbB3-binding protein 1 (Ebp1) at Ser335. This post-translational modification reduces Ebp1 nucleolar localization, suppresses 47S pre-ribosomal RNA transcription, and induces nucleolar stress. Consequently, the p53/p21 pathway is engaged, promoting neuronal senescence. Pharmacological inhibition of PP2A with LB-100 restored ribosome biogenesis, prevented neuronal senescence, and rescued cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative phenotypes in PS-NP-exposed mice. This is the first study to identify the PP2A-B56γ–p-Ebp1 Ser335 –ribosome biogenesis axis as a novel cascade mechanism driving PS-NP-induced neuronal senescence. Our findings offer a targetable strategy to mitigate nanoplastics-associated neurodegeneration.