Cold Atmospheric Plasma Promotes Anti-Inflammatory and Regenerative Responses in Oral Soft Tissue through...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oral Biology
• Plasma Medicine

Background:

• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is explored for oral soft-tissue regeneration and inflammation control.
• Understanding the underlying mechanisms, particularly redox and mitochondrial regulation, is crucial for therapeutic application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how helium-based CAP influences redox balance and mitochondrial function in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1).
• To elucidate the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mediating CAP's anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects.

Main Methods:

• Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) were stimulated with LPS and treated with helium CAP.
• Optical emission spectroscopy and infrared thermography characterized the plasma.
• Intracellular H2O2 levels, NF-κB activation, inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), collagen I expression, cell migration, proliferation, and mitochondrial function (ROS, membrane potential, biogenesis) were assessed.
• Catalase was used to confirm the role of H2O2.

Main Results:

• CAP generated a nonthermal plasma plume rich in RONS.
• CAP transiently increased H2O2 without cytotoxicity, restoring redox balance and suppressing oxidative stress.
• CAP attenuated LPS-induced NF-κB activation and reduced IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α secretion.
• CAP enhanced collagen I expression, cell migration, and proliferation, indicating a shift towards regeneration.
• CAP activated the PGC-1α/NRF-1/TFAM pathway, improving mitochondrial function and promoting biogenesis.
• Catalase treatment abolished CAP's effects, confirming H2O2 as the key mediator.

Conclusions:

• CAP is a non-pharmacological, redox-regulatory tool for oral soft-tissue inflammation and regeneration.
• CAP integrates oxidative and mitochondrial signaling to resolve inflammation and promote healing.
• Hydrogen peroxide is identified as the central mediator of CAP's therapeutic effects in this context.