Editorial

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3 pages, 178 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Plasma Biology 2.0

by Akikazu Sakudo and Yoshihito Yagyu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073684 - 28 Mar 2022

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Abstract

Plasma biology is a cutting-edge research field that involves plasma technology [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

Research

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17 pages, 4885 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Periodic Exposure of Plasma-Activated Medium Alters Fibroblast Cellular Homoeostasis

by Pradeep Bhartiya, Neha Kaushik, Linh N. Nguyen, Sander Bekeschus, Kai Masur, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Nagendra Kumar Kaushik and Eun Ha Choi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063120 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

Excess amounts of redox stress and failure to regulate homeostatic levels of reactive species are associated with several skin pathophysiologic conditions. Nonmalignant cells are assumed to cope better with higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels. However, the effect of periodic stress [...] Read more.

Excess amounts of redox stress and failure to regulate homeostatic levels of reactive species are associated with several skin pathophysiologic conditions. Nonmalignant cells are assumed to cope better with higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels. However, the effect of periodic stress on this balance has not been investigated in fibroblasts in the field of plasma medicine. In this study, we aimed to investigate intrinsic changes with respect to cellular proliferation, cell cycle, and ability to neutralize the redox stress inside fibroblast cells following periodic redox stress in vitro. Soft jet plasma with air as feeding gas was used to generate plasma-activated medium (PAM) for inducing redox stress conditions. We assessed cellular viability, energetics, and cell cycle machinery under oxidative stress conditions at weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12. Fibroblasts retained their usual physiological properties until 6 weeks. Fibroblasts failed to overcome the redox stress induced by periodic PAM exposure after 6 weeks, indicating its threshold potential. Periodic stress above the threshold level led to alterations in fibroblast cellular processes. These include consistent increases in apoptosis, while RONS accumulation and cell cycle arrest were observed at the final stages. Currently, the use of NTP in clinical settings is limited due to a lack of knowledge about fibroblasts’ behavior in wound healing, scar formation, and other fibrotic disorders. Understanding fibroblasts’ physiology could help to utilize nonthermal plasma in redox-related skin diseases. Furthermore, these results provide new information about the threshold capacity of fibroblasts and an insight into the adaptation mechanism against periodic oxidative stress conditions in fibroblasts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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13 pages, 2502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) on Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Osteoblasts

by Benedikt Eggers, Anna-Maria Wagenheim, Susanne Jung, Johannes Kleinheinz, Marjan Nokhbehsaim, Franz-Josef Kramer and Sonja Sielker

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2503; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052503 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1800

Abstract

Bone regeneration after oral and maxillofacial surgery is a long-term process, which involves various mechanisms. Recently, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has become known to accelerate wound healing and have an antimicrobial effect. Since the use of CAP in dentistry is not yet established, [...] Read more.

Bone regeneration after oral and maxillofacial surgery is a long-term process, which involves various mechanisms. Recently, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has become known to accelerate wound healing and have an antimicrobial effect. Since the use of CAP in dentistry is not yet established, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CAP on human calvaria osteoblasts (HCO). HCO were treated with CAP for different durations of time and distances to the cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cell toxicity by LDH assay. Additionally, RT-qPCR was used to investigate effects on osteogenic markers, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenic protein (BMP)2, collagen (COL)1A1, osteonectin (SPARC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osterix (OSX), receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), RANK Ligand (RANKL), and Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX)2. There were small differences in cell proliferation and LDH release regarding treatment duration and distance to the cells. However, an increase in the expression of RANK and RANKL was observed at longer treatment times. Additionally, CAP caused a significant increase in mRNA expression of genes relevant to osteogenesis. In conclusion, CAP has a stimulating effect on osteoblasts and may thus represent a potential therapeutic approach in the regeneration of hard tissue defects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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15 pages, 3692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Apoptotic and Oxidative Effects on MCF7 and HCC1806 Human Breast Cancer Cells

by Catarina Almeida-Ferreira, Rafael Silva-Teixeira, Ana Cristina Gonçalves, Carlos Miguel Marto, Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro, Francisco Caramelo, Maria Filomena Botelho and Mafalda Laranjo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1698; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031698 - 01 Feb 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2709

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant neoplasia with the highest incidence and mortality rates in women worldwide. Currently, therapies include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, including targeted therapies in some cases. However, treatments are often associated with serious adverse effects. Looking for new options [...] Read more.

Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant neoplasia with the highest incidence and mortality rates in women worldwide. Currently, therapies include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, including targeted therapies in some cases. However, treatments are often associated with serious adverse effects. Looking for new options in BC treatment, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in two cell lines (MCF7 and HCC1806) with distinct histological features. Apoptosis seemed to be the most prevalent type of death, as corroborated by several biochemical features, including phosphatidylserine exposure, the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in BAX/BCL2 ratio and procaspase 3 loss. Moreover, the accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle points to the loss of replication ability and decreased survival. Despite reported toxic concentrations of peroxides in culture media exposed to plasma, intracellular peroxide concentration was overall decreased accompanying a reduction in GSH levels shortly after plasma exposure in both cell lines. In HCC1806, elevated nitric oxide (NO) concentration accompanied by reduced superoxide levels suggests that these cells are capable of converting plasma-derived nitrites into NO that competes with superoxide dismutase (SOD) for superoxide to form peroxinitrite. The concomitant inhibition of the antioxidative activity of cells during CAP treatment, particularly the inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase with sodium azide, synergistically increased plasma toxicity. Thus, this in vitro research enlightens the therapeutic potential of CAP in the treatment of breast cancer, elucidating its possible mechanisms of action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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15 pages, 9107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Melanoma Capability of Contactless Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment

by Dayun Yan, Qihui Wang, Xiaoliang Yao, Alisa Malyavko and Michael Keidar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11728; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111728 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1748

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrated that the widely used cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) jet could significantly inhibit the growth of melanoma cells using a contactless treatment method, The flow rate of helium gas was a key operational parameter to modulate electromagnetic (EM) effect [...] Read more.

In this study, we demonstrated that the widely used cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) jet could significantly inhibit the growth of melanoma cells using a contactless treatment method, The flow rate of helium gas was a key operational parameter to modulate electromagnetic (EM) effect on melanoma cells. Metal sheets with different sizes could be used as a strategy to control the strength of EM effect. More attractive, the EM effect from CAP could penetrate glass/polystyrene barriers as thick as 7 mm. All these discoveries presented the profound non-invasive nature of a physically based CAP treatment, which provided a solid foundation for CAP-based cutaneous/subcutaneous tumor therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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16 pages, 3049 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patient-Derived Human Basal and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tissues Display Apoptosis and Immunomodulation following Gas Plasma Exposure with a Certified Argon Jet

by Fariba Saadati, Juliane Moritz, Julia Berner, Eric Freund, Lea Miebach, Iris Helfrich, Ingo Stoffels, Steffen Emmert and Sander Bekeschus

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111446 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2289

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been subject of increasing interest in the pathophysiology and therapy of cancers in recent years. In skin cancer, ROS are involved in UV-induced tumorigenesis and its targeted treatment via, e.g., photodynamic therapy. Another recent technology for topical ROS [...] Read more.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been subject of increasing interest in the pathophysiology and therapy of cancers in recent years. In skin cancer, ROS are involved in UV-induced tumorigenesis and its targeted treatment via, e.g., photodynamic therapy. Another recent technology for topical ROS generation is cold physical plasma, a partially ionized gas expelling dozens of reactive species onto its treatment target. Gas plasma technology is accredited for its wound-healing abilities in Europe, and current clinical evidence suggests that it may have beneficial effects against actinic keratosis. Since the concept of hormesis dictates that low ROS levels perform signaling functions, while high ROS levels cause damage, we investigated herein the antitumor activity of gas plasma in non-melanoma skin cancer. In vitro, gas plasma exposure diminished the metabolic activity, preferentially in squamous cell carcinoma cell (SCC) lines compared to non-malignant HaCaT cells. In patient-derived basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and SCC samples treated with gas plasma ex vivo, increased apoptosis was found in both cancer types. Moreover, the immunomodulatory actions of gas plasma treatment were found affecting, e.g., the expression of CD86 and the number of regulatory T-cells. The supernatants of these ex vivo cultured tumors were quantitatively screened for cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, identifying CCL5 and GM-CSF, molecules associated with skin cancer metastasis, to be markedly decreased. These findings suggest gas plasma treatment to be an interesting future technology for non-melanoma skin cancer topical therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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Review

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20 pages, 4053 KiB

Open AccessReview

Approaches to Inactivating Aflatoxins—A Review and Challenges

by Kinga Kutasi, Nina Recek, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetič, Mitja Krajnc, Peter Gselman and Gregor Primc

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413322 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2470

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, the contamination of crops with aflatoxins poses a significant economic burden, estimated to affect 25% of global food crops. In the event that the contaminated food is processed, aflatoxins enter the general food supply and can cause [...] Read more.

According to the World Health Organization, the contamination of crops with aflatoxins poses a significant economic burden, estimated to affect 25% of global food crops. In the event that the contaminated food is processed, aflatoxins enter the general food supply and can cause serious diseases. Aflatoxins are distributed unevenly in food or feedstock, making eradicating them both a scientific and a technological challenge. Cooking, freezing, or pressurizing have little effect on aflatoxins. While chemical methods degrade toxins on the surface of contaminated food, the destruction inside entails a slow process. Physical techniques, such as irradiation with ultraviolet photons, pulses of extensive white radiation, and gaseous plasma, are promising; yet, the exact mechanisms concerning how these techniques degrade aflatoxins require further study. Correlations between the efficiency of such degradation and the processing parameters used by various authors are presented in this review. The lack of appropriate guidance while interpreting the observed results is a huge scientific challenge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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37 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Epigenetic Changes, DNA Damage, and Possibilities for Its Use in Synergistic Cancer Therapy

by Dušan Braný, Dana Dvorská, Ján Strnádel, Tatiana Matáková, Erika Halašová and Henrieta Škovierová

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12252; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212252 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3133

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma has great potential for use in modern medicine. It has been used in the clinical treatment of skin diseases and chronic wounds, and in laboratory settings it has shown effects on selective decrease in tumour-cell viability, reduced tumour mass in [...] Read more.

Cold atmospheric plasma has great potential for use in modern medicine. It has been used in the clinical treatment of skin diseases and chronic wounds, and in laboratory settings it has shown effects on selective decrease in tumour-cell viability, reduced tumour mass in animal models and stem-cell proliferation. Many researchers are currently focusing on its application to internal structures and the use of plasma-activated liquids in tolerated and effective human treatment. There has also been analysis of plasma’s beneficial synergy with standard pharmaceuticals to enhance their effect. Cold atmospheric plasma triggers various responses in tumour cells, and this can result in epigenetic changes in both DNA methylation levels and histone modification. The expression and activity of non-coding RNAs with their many important cell regulatory functions can also be altered by cold atmospheric plasma action. Finally, there is ongoing debate whether plasma-produced radicals can directly affect DNA damage in the nucleus or only initiate apoptosis or other forms of cell death. This article therefore summarises accepted knowledge of cold atmospheric plasma’s influence on epigenetic changes, the expression and activity of non-coding RNAs, and DNA damage and its effect in synergistic treatment with routinely used pharmaceuticals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Biology 2.0)

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