Induction of cell growth arrest by atmospheric non-thermal plasma in colorectal cancer cells.
Plasma is generated by ionizing neutral gas molecules, resulting in a mixture of energy particles, including electrons and ions. Recent progress in the understanding of non-thermal atmospheric plasma has led to applications in biomedicine. However, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in plasma-induced cell growth arrest are unclear. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment for cancer therapy and examined the mechanism by which plasma induces anti-proliferative properties and cell death in human colorectal cancer cells. Non-thermal atmospheric plasma induced cell growth arrest and induced apoptosis. In addition, plasma reduced cell migration and invasion activities. As a result, we found that plasma treatment to the cells increases β-catenin phosphorylation, suggesting that β-catenin degradation plays a role at least in part in plasma-induced anti-proliferative activity. Therefore, non-thermal atmospheric plasma constitutes a new biologic tool with the potential for therapeutic applications that modulate cell signaling and function.
Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Chul-Ho
CH
Kim
Jae Hoon
JH
Bahn
Seong-Ho
SH
Lee
Gye-Yeop
GY
Kim
Seung-Ik
SI
Jun
Keunho
K
Lee
Seung Joon
SJ
Baek
D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007211:Indoles; D010766:Phosphorylation; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
D007211:Indoles; D058626:Plasma Gases; D051176:beta Catenin; C007293:DAPI