Plasma Damage Control: From Biomolecules to Cells and Skin

Area of Science:

• Plasma physics
• Biomedical engineering
• Dermatology

Background:

• Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) show promise for chronic wound healing due to antibacterial and cell-proliferative effects.
• Controlling the plasma-biological target interface is crucial to prevent tissue damage from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and vacuum ultraviolet/ultraviolet (VUV/UV) radiation.
• Understanding and mitigating the effects of VUV/UV radiation is essential for safe and effective plasma-based therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate VUV/UV emission from argon APPJs and explore methods for radiation control using aerosol injection.
• To assess the impact of VUV/UV radiation and aerosol intervention on DNA integrity and cell proliferation.
• To demonstrate a safe and controlled plasma-aerosol treatment modality for biological applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a fluorescent target to quantify plasma oxidation footprints and VUV/UV radiation.
• Employed plasmid DNA radiation assays and cell proliferation assays to evaluate cytotoxicity and DNA damage.
• Introduced aerosol into the plasma effluent to study its effect on VUV/UV radiation and biological targets.
• Validated the findings in a murine model to demonstrate a safe operational mode.

Main Results:

• VUV/UV radiation is an inherent component of APPJ emissions.
• Short plasma treatments (<60s) did not affect fibroblast proliferation, but longer exposures were cytotoxic.
• VUV/UV radiation accounted for 70% of the DNA damage and cytotoxicity observed in cells without medium.
• Aerosol injection increased attached cell survival by 10% by partially absorbing UV emission.

Conclusions:

• Aerosol injection effectively controls VUV/UV radiation from APPJs, mitigating potential tissue damage.
• This research demonstrates a cold and safe plasma-aerosol treatment approach suitable for wound healing.
• Controlled plasma-aerosol interaction offers a safer operational mode for plasma-based biomedical applications.