Resolution of MoS2 Nanosheets-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation Driven by Nanoscale Intracellular Transformation and Extracellular-Vesicle Shuttles.

Abstract Pulmonary exposure to some engineered nanomaterials can cause chronic lesions as a result of unresolved inflammation. Among 2D nanomaterials and graphene, MoS 2 has received tremendous attention in optoelectronics and nanomedicine. Here an integrated approach is proposed to follow up the transformation of MoS 2 nanosheets at the nanoscale and assesss their impact on lung inflammation status over 1 month after a single inhalation in mice. Analysis of immune cells, alveolar macrophages, extracellular vesicles, and cytokine profiling in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) shows that MoS 2 nanosheets induced initiation of lung inflammation. However, the inflammation is rapidly resolved despite the persistence of various biotransformed molybdenum‐based nanostructures in the alveolar macrophages and the extracellular vesicles for up to 1 month. Using in situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy experiments, the dynamics of MoS 2 nanosheets transformation triggered by reactive oxygen species could be evidenced. Three main transformation mechanisms are observed directly at the nanoscale level: 1) scrolling of the dispersed sheets leading to the formation of nanoscrolls and folded patches, 2) etching releasing soluble MoO 4 − , and 3) oxidation generating oxidized sheet fragments. Extracellular vesicles released in BALF are also identified as a potential shuttle of MoS 2 nanostructures and their degradation products and more importantly as mediators of inflammation resolution.