title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology and Department of Life Science, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyounggi-Do, Korea.
authors.forename: Hak Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Kang Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Geunyoung
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eunpyo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Sang Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jong-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000378:metabolism; D004560:Electricity; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011419:Propidium / Q000378:metabolism; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D000975:Antioxidants; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D002232:Carbocyanines; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D058626:Plasma Gases; C068624:5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbocyanine; D011419:Propidium; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D009584:Nitrogen