Exploring the Role of Microplasma for Controlling Cellular Senescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cellular senescence plays a pivotal role in aging and stress response mechanisms. Controlling cellular senescence is essential for developing novel techniques to prevent aging or aging-related diseases and promote a healthy lifespan. This study explores the efficiency of cold atmospheric microplasma (CAM) for controlling cellular senescence in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated by CAM influence key processes, such as the regulation of oxidative stress, alterations in membrane potential, and senescence-related epigenetic modifications. As a marker of cellular senescence, the expression of β-galactosidase was assessed in response to different plasma treatments. At a frequency of 1 kHz and a discharge voltage of 5 kV_p-p, a significant reduction in β-galactosidase activity was observed in cells treated for 10 s and 30 s compared to the control, indicating a reduction in cellular senescence. Additionally, cell viability, metabolic activity, and plasma membrane potential were also found to be higher for the treated cells compared to the control under the same conditions. This study confirms that a physiologically tolerable level of ROS and RNS is sufficient for cellular signaling, but not for damage induction. The findings from this study provide insights on the potential of microplasma as a tool for controlling cellular senescence and the development of therapeutic innovations involving eukaryotic cells.