Gas-liquid interfacial plasmas producing reactive species for cell membrane permeabilization

Area of Science:

• Plasma medicine
• Biophysics
• Chemical physics

Background:

• Gas-liquid interfacial atmospheric-pressure plasma jets (GLI-APPJ) are utilized in medical applications for inducing cell-membrane permeabilization.
• Understanding the specific plasma-generated reactive species responsible for this effect is crucial for optimizing medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the dominant reactive species produced by GLI-APPJ that enhance cell-membrane permeability.
• To investigate the concentration and spatial distribution of these species in both gas and liquid phases.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of reactive species (long-lived like H2O2, short-lived like O2•−, and extremely-short-lived like •OH) in gas and liquid phases.
• Correlation of reactive species distribution with cell-membrane permeabilization patterns.
• Analysis of the effect of solution thickness on reactive species concentration and permeabilization.

Main Results:

• Concentration of aqueous hydroxyl radicals (•OHaq) decreased with increasing solution thickness (<1 mm).
• Plasma-induced cell-membrane permeabilization significantly decreased as solution thickness increased.
• The localized distribution of •OHaq corresponded to the distribution of permeabilized cells, unlike H2O2aq which showed a doughnut-shaped distribution.

Conclusions:

• Aqueous hydroxyl radicals (•OHaq) are identified as a key factor in GLI-APPJ-induced cell-membrane permeabilization.
• The spatial distribution and concentration of •OHaq are critical determinants of the extent and pattern of cell permeabilization.
• This finding aids in the targeted application of plasma jets for medical purposes.