Plasma generated in culture medium induces damages of HeLa cells due to flow phenomena

Abstract

Plasma in a liquid has been anticipated as an effective tool for medical applications, however, few reports have described cellular responses to plasma generated in a liquid similar to biological fluids. Herein we report the effects of plasma generated in a culture medium on HeLa cells. The plasma in the culture medium produced not only heat, shock waves, and reactive chemical species but also a jet flow with sub millimeter-sized bubbles. Cells exposed to the plasma exhibited detachment, morphological changes, and changes in the actin cytoskeletal structure. The experimental results suggest that wall shear stress over 160 Pa was generated on the surface of the cells by the plasma. It is one of the main factors that cause those cellular responses. We believe that our findings would provide valuable insight into advancements in medical applications of plasma in a liquid.

Quantitative evaluation of reactive oxygen and chlorine species generated by discharge in PBS

“…One of ways to solve the problem is plasma generation in liquid, 4,[25][26][27] which enables us to make the plasma−liquid interface near cells/tissues. This plasma generation in liquid has been studied with and without working gas supply.…”