Immunotoxicity of nanomixture: joint action of silver and plastic nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles are one of the most commercialized types of nanoparticles, with a wide range of applications owing to their antimicrobial activity.[1] However, there is a lack of data on cumulative toxicity of silver nanoparticles used with polymeric materials, especially polymer nanoparticles. In this study, toxicity of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNP) combined with polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNP) was tested on Jurkat cells. Silver and polystyrene nanoparticles reduced cell viability through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), depletion of cellular GSH, and damage to cellular structures and mitochondria. Cellular treatment with combinations of non-toxic AgNP and PSNP concentrations resulted in significant induction of oxidative stress and reduction of cell viability. Results for combined AgNP/PSNP treatments can be understood as compounded effect of overloading cellular mechanisms for managing oxidative stress. These results have important implications for use of tested nanomaterials in medical contexts.