Dataset for publication_Revealing the increased toxicity of PS-NPs after UV exposure towards PBMCs_funded by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant number 2023/07/X/ST5/01519)(data)

Abstract

This study presents the effect of UV on the physicochemical changes of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) with a size of 44 nm after 2, 4, and 8 h of illumination, along with its impact on white blood cells. It was found that UV illumination reduced the diameter of PS-NPs to 10.2 ± 0.4% and increased the zeta potential to 36 ± 3% after 8 h of illumination. Microscopy (SEM and AFM) measurements showed considerable changes in the shape and behaviour of PS-NPs, indicating reduced size and a high tendency to agglomerate when deposited on the substrate surface. Moreover, UV-Vis spectroscopy showed an increase in the intensity of the n-π* band, signifying oxidation of the nanomaterial. The chemical modifications significantly influenced the biological properties of the nanoparticles, altering the morphology of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as indicated by changes in forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) parameters. Additionally, there were modifications in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which, in turn, affected cell viability. Prolonged UV exposure of nanoparticles can also lead to increase in the levels of intracellular chelatable iron ions (Fe²⁺), thereby indicating the induction of cell death associated with ferroptosis. The most pronounced alterations in these parameters were observed after incubating PBMCs with nanoparticles exposed to UV for 8 hours. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that the tested nanoplastic undergoes physicochemical changes upon exposure to UV, and that these induced changes strongly affect human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.