Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
New Treatment Options for Osteosarcoma - Inactivation of Osteosarcoma Cells by Cold Atmospheric Plasma
Denis Gümbel1,2, Nadine Gelbrich3, Martin Weiss4
1Department of Trauma, Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany denis.guembel@uni-greifswald.de.
Background/Aim:
Cold atmospheric plasma has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth and induce tumor cell death. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells and to characterize the underlying cellular mechanisms.
Materials And Methods:
Human osteosarcoma cells (U2-OS and MNNG/HOS) were treated with cold atmospheric plasma and seeded in culture plates. Cell proliferation, p53 and phospho-p53 protein expression and nuclear morphology were assessed.
Results:
The treated human osteosarcoma cell lines exhibited attenuated proliferation rates by up to 66%. The cells revealed an induction of p53, as well as phospho-p53 expression, by 2.3-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively, compared to controls. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining demonstrated apoptotic nuclear condensation following cold atmospheric plasma treatment.
Conclusion:
Cold atmospheric plasma treatment significantly attenuated cell proliferation in a preclinical in vitro osteosarcoma model. The resulting increase in p53 expression and phospho-activation in combination with characteristic nuclear changes indicate this was through induction of apoptosis.
Insights
Cold atmospheric plasma significantly reduced human osteosarcoma cell proliferation. This treatment induced apoptosis by increasing p53 expression and activating its phosphorylation, offering a potential new cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) demonstrates anti-tumor properties, inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing cell death.
- Osteosarcoma is a primary bone cancer with significant mortality, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of CAP on human osteosarcoma cell proliferation.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying CAP's effects on these cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Human osteosarcoma cell lines (U2-OS, MNNG/HOS) were exposed to CAP.
- Cell proliferation was quantified using standard cell culture assays.
- Protein expression of p53 and phospho-p53 was analyzed via Western blotting.
- Nuclear morphology was assessed using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining.
Main Results:
- CAP treatment reduced osteosarcoma cell proliferation by up to 66%.
- A significant increase in p53 (2.3-fold) and phospho-p53 (4.5-fold) protein expression was observed.
- DAPI staining revealed characteristic apoptotic nuclear condensation in treated cells.
Conclusions:
- CAP effectively inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation in vitro.
- The observed anti-proliferative effects are mediated by the induction of apoptosis, evidenced by increased p53 levels and nuclear changes.
- CAP represents a promising preclinical therapeutic approach for osteosarcoma.
