Internalization of polystyrene nanoparticles by primary astrocytes and their incorporation into extracellular vesicles

In this study, we investigated the internalization of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) by primary astrocytes. Our findings demonstrate that PS-NPs are effectively internalized by astrocytes through the early endosome and lysosome pathways. Moreover, a significant amount of these internalized nanoparticles are incorporated into extracellular vesicles (EVs), suggesting a potential route for PS-NPs to influence intercellular communication and signaling in the brain. This research provides valuable insights into the behavior of PS-NPs within neural environments and their potential impact on cellular and extracellular processes.The presented data demonstrate intracellular internalization of PS-NPs based on images and Z-stacks from confocal and fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence intensity of the particles inside the cell was quantified over time and at different exposure concentrations. Similarly, for early endosomes and lysosomes, colocalization of PS-NPs within these organelles was estimated using confocal microscopy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from the medium were imaged using TEM and confocal microscopy to visualize the presence of PS-NPs within them. Moreover, proteomic analysis of isolated EVs was performed.