Non-thermal plasma directly accelerates neuronal proliferation by stimulating axon formation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Nerve damage poses significant challenges to recovery.
• Non Thermal Plasma (NTP) is an emerging therapeutic modality for nerve repair.
• The precise mechanisms by which NTP promotes nerve regeneration are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of NTP on neuronal proliferation in retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.
• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying NTP-induced cell proliferation and nerve regeneration.
• To assess the efficacy of NTP in an in vivo model of nerve injury.

Main Methods:

• Neuronal proliferation was assessed in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells treated with NTP.
• Western blot analysis and RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of key proteins and genes.
• An in vivo study in Wistar rats involved immunofluorescence analysis of nerve tissue following NTP treatment.

Main Results:

• NTP treatment led to increased cell proliferation and axonal elongation in vitro.
• NTP significantly upregulated the expression of tau, wnt3a, and β-catenin.
• In vivo studies showed NTP increased tau and S100B markers while modulating MAP2 and GAP43 expression.

Conclusions:

• NTP effectively accelerates neuronal proliferation and regeneration of damaged neurons.
• The findings suggest that NTP influences key molecular pathways involved in nerve repair.
• NTP presents a promising noninvasive treatment strategy for nerve injuries.