Inhibition of neutrophil oxidative burst and NETosis by fullerene-like inorganic tungsten disulfide nanoparticles with preservation of cell viability

Introduction. Tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications. While previous studies have demonstrated the in vitro biocompatibility of WS₂ in various cell lines, their effects on neutrophil function remain unexplored. Methods. Human neutrophils were isolated via dextran sedimentation and exposed to increasing concentrations of in organic fullerene-like WS₂ (IF-WS₂) (12.5–200 µg/mL). After incubation, cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore (CaI), or N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Cell viability was assessed by  flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using luminol-based chemiluminescence, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was quantified using Sytox Green fluorescence. Results. IF-WS₂ had no significant effect on neutrophil viability at any tested concentration. However, ROS production was in hibited in a concentration-dependent manner, especially under PMA stimulation. IF-WS₂ also significantly reduced both spontaneous and stimulus-induced NETosis.   Conclusion. IF-WS₂ nanoparticles attenuate key neutrophil functions, including oxidative burst and NETosis, even at low concentrations. These findings suggest their potential utility as immunomodulatory agents in inflammatory and autoimmune  diseases.