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Elucidation of the immunotoxicity of PEDOT: PSS on RAW264.7 macrophages by oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and NF-κB pathway activation.

Chunyu Shi·Weiguo Li·Fang He·Junguo Ma·Panpan Jia·Wenbo Huo·De-Sheng Pei
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Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) nanoparticles, widely used conductive polymers, pose environmental and health risks due to their nanoscale dispersion. However, the characteristics of PEDOT: PSS in aquatic systems and the underlying mechanisms of its toxicity in animal and cell models remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles on macrophages, with a focus on RAW 264.7 cells. After an acute exposure to PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles at different concentrations (5, 10, 20 μg/mL), we observed significant impairments in cell viability, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and phagocytosis, as well as morphological alterations. Concurrently, there was a marked upregulation of inflammatory markers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), indicating the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanistically, PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, suggesting that they may mediate inflammatory responses and cell damage via activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings reveal the toxic mechanism of PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles in macrophages and provide new insights into their biological safety implications.

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AnimalsMiceOxidative StressNF-kappa BRAW 264.7 CellsPolymersPolystyrenesMacrophagesInflammationNanoparticlesReactive Oxygen SpeciesSignal TransductionCell SurvivalBridged Bicyclo Compounds, HeterocyclicPolyether CompoundsNF-κB signaling pathwayOxidative stressPEDOT: PSSRAW264.7Journal Article

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Chunyu Shi, Weiguo Li, Fang He, Junguo Ma, Panpan Jia, Wenbo Huo, De-Sheng Pei. 2025-11-22. Elucidation of the immunotoxicity of PEDOT: PSS on RAW264.7 macrophages by oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and NF-κB pathway activation.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2025.11.044

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