Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet Induces Apoptosis Involving Mitochondria via Generation of Free Radicals

Abstract

The plasma jet has been proposed as a novel therapeutic method for anticancer treatment. However, its biological effects and mechanism of action remain elusive. Here, we investigated its cell death effects and underlying molecular mechanisms, using air and N2 plasma jets from a micro nozzle array. Treatment with air or N2 plasma jets caused apoptotic death in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, simultaneously with depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, the plasma jets were able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which function as surrogate apoptotic signals by targeting the mitochondrial membrane potential. Antioxidants or caspase inhibitors ameliorated the apoptotic cell death induced by the air and N2 plasma jets, suggesting that the plasma jet may generate ROS as a proapoptotic cue, thus initiating mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest the potential employment of plasma jets as a novel therapy for cancer.

Plasma-induced selectivity in bone cancer cells death

“…This discovery was reported in vitro and in vivo for different non-thermal plasmas, where studies were conducted on a variety of cancer types 6 including melanoma 7 , cervical cancer 8 , hepatocellular carcinoma, breast carcinoma 9 , papilloma, colon cancer, glioblastoma, etc. 6 .…”

The Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel Significantly Decreases Viability in Malignant Solid Tumor Cells in a Dose-Dependent Manner

“…Several theories have been proposed, including a decrease of cell adhesion [21,22], interruption of the cell cycle [23][24][25], induction of apoptosis [26][27][28][29], and DNA fragmentation [30]. However, it is not yet clear whether CAP-generated reactive species are crucial for apoptosis and its associated DNA strand break or whether plasma-induced direct DNA damage provokes cell cycle checkpoint signaling that leads to apoptosis [31].…”

Impact of plasma jet vacuum ultraviolet radiation on reactive oxygen species generation in bio-relevant liquids

“…[1][2][3][4][5] The strongly non-equilibrium chemistry along with their physical properties of energy transfer into sensible surfaces makes them excellently suited for treatment of, e.g., chronic wounds. [6][7][8][9] The energy dissipated within the plasma is transferred into thermal, chemical, electronic, and radiative energy, to name the most relevant examples.…”