Low Ozone Concentrations Differentially Affect the Structural and Functional Features of Non-Activated and Activated...

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

• Oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) therapy is a growing complementary treatment, but its cellular mechanisms require further elucidation.
• Fibroblasts are crucial connective cells involved in tissue homeostasis and various physiological/pathological processes.
• Understanding O3 effects on fibroblasts is vital for optimizing therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multimodal effects of low O3 concentrations on human fibroblasts.
• To differentiate the cellular responses of non-activated versus LPS-activated fibroblasts to O3 exposure.
• To explore the impact of O3 on fibroblast proliferation, structure, antioxidant response, and cytokine secretion.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an in vitro human fibroblast cell line model.
• Employed a multimodal approach including light and electron microscopy.
• Incorporated Western blot, real-time quantitative PCR, and multiplex cytokine assays.

Main Results:

• In non-activated fibroblasts, O3 stimulated proliferation, cell surface protrusions, antioxidant response, and secretion of IL-6 and TGF-β1.
• In LPS-activated fibroblasts, O3 enhanced antioxidant response and cytokine secretion but did not significantly affect proliferation.
• O3 induced activation-like responses in non-activated fibroblasts and potentiated protective capabilities in activated fibroblasts.

Conclusions:

• Low O3 concentrations elicit distinct responses in fibroblasts depending on their activation state.
• O3 therapy may modulate fibroblast behavior, influencing tissue repair and inflammatory processes.
• These findings provide mechanistic insights into the efficacy of O2-O3 therapy at the cellular level.