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Cold Atmospheric Plasma Promotes the Immunoreactivity of Granulocytes In Vitro
Laura S Kupke1,2, Stephanie Arndt2, Simon Lenzer1,2
1Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Biomolecules
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) activates human immune cells (PMNs) by altering their reactive oxygen species production and migration. This immune cell modification is a key mechanism supporting CAP
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Plasma Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is known to reduce bacteria and interact with cells, promoting wound healing.
- Previous studies indicated CAP induces neutrophils in mouse wound models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional effects of CAP on human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)/granulocytes.
- To compare direct CAP treatment versus plasma-treated solution (PTS) effects on PMN functionality.
Main Methods:
- Human PMNs were exposed to CAP directly or via PTS.
- Analysis included reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production, live-cell imaging for chemotaxis and NETosis, and flow cytometry for cell surface marker expression.
Main Results:
- PTS treatment showed mode-dependent differences in ROS and RNS production.
- Neither PTS nor direct CAP induced PMN chemotaxis or NETosis.
- Direct CAP treatment altered PMN migration, reduced time to maximum ROS production (TmaxROS), and enhanced integrin and selectin expression without inducing apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- CAP treatment modifies PMN immunoreactivity, including altered ROS kinetics and enhanced activation markers.
- These modifications in PMN function likely contribute to the wound healing benefits observed with CAP therapy.
