Deciphering the Toxic Effects of Polystyrene Nanoparticle on Erythropoiesis at Single Cell Resolution

The toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on aquatic ecosystems have been predominantly studied, with a focus on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, this study comprehensively examined the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, explicitly investigating their effects on erythropoiesis. In vivo experiments were conducted using zebrafish embryos to validate the single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles resulted in a decrease in the proportion of mature erythrocytes due to an increase in immature erythrocytes during the erythrocyte differentiation process. Additionally, heme synthesis was impaired, leading to a decrease in the proportion of erythrocytes. These findings indicated the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on hematopoiesis.