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Soulat A, Mohsenpour T, Roshangar L, Naghshara H. A Two-Stage Transferred Cold Atmospheric Plasma as a Unique Therapeutic Strategy for Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells. Adv Pharm Bull 2024; 14:400-411. [PMID: 39206394 PMCID: PMC11347729 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2024.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The study examines the induction of apoptosis in colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) within a 3D culture setting, employing an innovative cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) transmission method known as two-stage transferred cold atmospheric plasma (TS-TCAP). TS-TCAP is a partially or fully ionized non-thermal gaseous mixture that comprises photons, charged and neutral particles, and free radicals, which has gained traction in biomedical applications such as cancer therapy. TS-TCAP impacts CCSCs via a continuous, two-step transport process, facilitating the efficient delivery of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The key cellular factors of CCSCs impacted by TS-TCAP treatment, encompassing the secretion and expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8, apoptotic cell count, and expression of BAX, BCL-2, and KI-67 proteins, were evaluated using qrt-ELISA, Annexin V, and qrt-PCR procedures, respectively. The outcomes of CCSCs treatment with TS-TCAP reveal a notable rise in the number of apoptotic cells (P<0.0001), diminished secretion, and gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 (P<0.0001), accompanied by favorable alterations in BCL-2 and BAX gene expression (P<0.0001). Additionally, a notable decrease in KI-67 expression was observed, correlating with a reduction in CCSCs proliferation (P<0.0001). As well, this study underscores the anti-cancer potential of TS-TCAP, showcasing its efficacy in reducing CCSCs survival rates. However, further pre-clinical and clinical trials are necessary to evaluate CAP's efficacy, safety, and potential synergistic effects with other therapies thoroughly. Overall, TS-TCAP presents a promising alternative for CCSCs treatment, pending further investigation and refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Soulat
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mazandaran, 47416-13534, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Taghi Mohsenpour
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mazandaran, 47416-13534, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Leila Roshangar
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamid Naghshara
- Faculty of Physics, University of Tabriz, 5166616471, Tabriz, Iran
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2
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Gkantaras A, Kotzamanidis C, Kyriakidis K, Farmaki E, Makedou K, Tzimagiorgis G, Bekeschus S, Malousi A. Multi-Cohort Transcriptomic Profiling of Medical Gas Plasma-Treated Cancers Reveals the Role of Immunogenic Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2186. [PMID: 38927892 PMCID: PMC11201794 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of cold physical gas plasma operated at atmospheric pressure in oncology has been thoroughly demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies. The cytotoxic effect on malignant cells has been attributed mainly to biologically active plasma-generated compounds, namely, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species interferes strongly with the antioxidant defense system of malignant cells, activating multiple signaling cascades and inevitably leading to oxidative stress-induced cell death. This study aims to determine whether plasma-induced cancer cell death operates through a universal molecular mechanism that is independent of the cancer cell type. Using whole transcriptome data, we sought to investigate the activation mechanism of plasma-treated samples in patient-derived prostate cell cultures, melanoma, breast, lymphoma, and lung cancer cells. The results from the standardized single-cohort gene expression analysis and parallel multi-cohort meta-analysis strongly indicate that plasma treatment globally induces cancer cell death through immune-mediated mechanisms, such as interleukin signaling, Toll-like receptor cascades, and MyD88 activation leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine release and tumor antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Gkantaras
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology Referral Center, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | | | - Evangelia Farmaki
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology Referral Center, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Kali Makedou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Georgios Tzimagiorgis
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), 17489 Greifswald, Germany;
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Andigoni Malousi
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
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Schultze-Rhonhof L, Marzi J, Carvajal Berrio DA, Holl M, Braun T, Schäfer-Ruoff F, Andress J, Bachmann C, Templin M, Brucker SY, Schenke-Layland K, Weiss M. Human tissue-resident peritoneal macrophages reveal resistance towards oxidative cell stress induced by non-invasive physical plasma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1357340. [PMID: 38504975 PMCID: PMC10949891 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1357340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of multimodal treatments for abdominal cancer, including procedures such as cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, recurrence rates remain high, and long-term survival benefits are uncertain due to post-operative complications. Notably, treatment-limiting side effects often arise from an uncontrolled activation of the immune system, particularly peritoneally localized macrophages, leading to massive cytokine secretion and phenotype changes. Exploring alternatives, an increasing number of studies investigated the potential of plasma-activated liquids (PAL) for adjuvant peritoneal cancer treatment, aiming to mitigate side effects, preserve healthy tissue, and reduce cytotoxicity towards non-cancer cells. To assess the non-toxicity of PAL, we isolated primary human macrophages from the peritoneum and subjected them to PAL exposure. Employing an extensive methodological spectrum, including flow cytometry, Raman microspectroscopy, and DigiWest protein analysis, we observed a pronounced resistance of macrophages towards PAL. This resistance was characterized by an upregulation of proliferation and anti-oxidative pathways, countering PAL-derived oxidative stress-induced cell death. The observed cellular effects of PAL treatment on human tissue-resident peritoneal macrophages unveil a potential avenue for PAL-derived immunomodulatory effects within the human peritoneal cavity. Our findings contribute to understanding the intricate interplay between PAL and macrophages, shedding light on the promising prospects for PAL in the adjuvant treatment of peritoneal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Marzi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Alejandro Carvajal Berrio
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Myriam Holl
- Department of Women’s Health Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Theresa Braun
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
- University Development, Research and Transfer, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Felix Schäfer-Ruoff
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Andress
- Department of Women’s Health Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cornelia Bachmann
- Department of Women’s Health Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Templin
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y. Brucker
- Department of Women’s Health Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katja Schenke-Layland
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Martin Weiss
- Department of Women’s Health Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
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4
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Berner J, Miebach L, Kordt M, Seebauer C, Schmidt A, Lalk M, Vollmar B, Metelmann HR, Bekeschus S. Chronic oxidative stress adaptation in head and neck cancer cells generates slow-cyclers with decreased tumour growth in vivo. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:869-883. [PMID: 37460712 PMCID: PMC10449771 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cancer therapy and as drivers of microenvironmental tumour cell adaptations. Medical gas plasma is a multi-ROS generating technology that has been shown effective for palliative tumour control in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients before tumour cells adapted to the oxidative stress and growth regressed fatally. METHODS In a bedside-to-bench approach, we sought to explore the oxidative stress adaptation in two human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Gas plasma was utilised as a putative therapeutic agent and chronic oxidative stress inducer. RESULTS Cellular responses of single and multiple treated cells were compared regarding sensitivity, cellular senescence, redox state and cytokine release. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed a strong correlation of cancer cell adaption with increased interleukin 1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2) expression. Using magnetic resonance imaging, tumour growth and gas plasma treatment responses of wild-type (WT) and repeatedly exposed (RE) A431 cells were further investigated in a xenograft model in vivo. RE cells generated significantly smaller tumours with suppressed inflammatory secretion profiles and increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity showing significantly lower gas plasma sensitivity until day 8. CONCLUSIONS Clinically, combination treatments together with cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, may overcome acquired oxidative stress resistance in HNC.
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Grants
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0003/18, ESF/14-BM-A55-0005/18, and ESF/14-BM-A55-0006/18) and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, as well as the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, grant numbers 03Z22DN11 and 03Z22Di1).
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0005/18).
- Gerhard-Domagk-Foundation Greifswald (Germany).
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0003/18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Berner
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lea Miebach
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcel Kordt
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Seebauer
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anke Schmidt
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Lalk
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hans-Robert Metelmann
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, Rostock University Medical Center, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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Negi M, Kaushik N, Nguyen LN, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. Argon gas plasma-treated physiological solutions stimulate immunogenic cell death and eradicates immunosuppressive CD47 protein in lung carcinoma. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 201:26-40. [PMID: 36907254 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma-treated liquids (PTLs) exhibit selective toxicity toward tumor cells and are provoked by a cocktail of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in such liquids. Compared to the gaseous phase, these reactive species are more persistent in the aqueous phase. This indirect plasma treatment method has gradually gathered interest in the discipline of plasma medicine to treat cancer. PTL's motivated effect on immunosuppressive proteins and immunogenic cell death (ICD) in solid cancer cells is still not explored. In this study, we aimed to induce immunomodulation by plasma-treated Ringer's lactate (PT-RL) and phosphate-buffered saline (PT-PBS) solutions for cancer treatment. PTLs induced minimum cytotoxicity in normal lung cells and inhibited cancer cell growth. ICD is confirmed by the enhanced expression of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). We evidenced that PTLs induce intracellular nitrogen oxide species accumulation and elevate immunogenicity in cancer cells owing to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, DAMPs, and reduced immunosuppressive protein CD47 expression. In addition, PTLs influenced A549 cells to elevate the organelles (mitochondria and lysosomes) in macrophages. Taken together, we have developed a therapeutic approach to potentially facilitate the selection of a suitable candidate for direct clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manorma Negi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, South Korea
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong, 18323, South Korea.
| | - Linh Nhat Nguyen
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, South Korea; Laboratory of Plasma Technology, Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, South Korea; Plasade Co. Ltd., 20 Kwangwoon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01897, South Korea.
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, South Korea; Plasade Co. Ltd., 20 Kwangwoon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01897, South Korea.
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Živanić M, Espona‐Noguera A, Lin A, Canal C. Current State of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Cancer-Immunity Cycle: Therapeutic Relevance and Overcoming Clinical Limitations Using Hydrogels. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205803. [PMID: 36670068 PMCID: PMC10015903 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a partially ionized gas that gains attention as a well-tolerated cancer treatment that can enhance anti-tumor immune responses, which are important for durable therapeutic effects. This review offers a comprehensive and critical summary on the current understanding of mechanisms in which CAP can assist anti-tumor immunity: induction of immunogenic cell death, oxidative post-translational modifications of the tumor and its microenvironment, epigenetic regulation of aberrant gene expression, and enhancement of immune cell functions. This should provide a rationale for the effective and meaningful clinical implementation of CAP. As discussed here, despite its potential, CAP faces different clinical limitations associated with the current CAP treatment modalities: direct exposure of cancerous cells to plasma, and indirect treatment through injection of plasma-treated liquids in the tumor. To this end, a novel modality is proposed: plasma-treated hydrogels (PTHs) that can not only help overcome some of the clinical limitations but also offer a convenient platform for combining CAP with existing drugs to improve therapeutic responses and contribute to the clinical translation of CAP. Finally, by integrating expertise in biomaterials and plasma medicine, practical considerations and prospective for the development of PTHs are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Živanić
- BiomaterialsBiomechanics and Tissue Engineering GroupDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringEscola d'Enginyeria Barcelona Est (EEBE)and Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CREB)Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)c/Eduard Maristany 14Barcelona08019Spain
- Biomaterials and Tissue EngineeringInstitut de Recerca Sant Joan de DéuSanta Rosa 39–57Esplugues de Llobregat08950Spain
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine‐Antwerp (PLASMANT)Department of ChemistryUniversity of AntwerpUniversiteitsplein 1Wilrijk‐Antwerp2610Belgium
| | - Albert Espona‐Noguera
- BiomaterialsBiomechanics and Tissue Engineering GroupDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringEscola d'Enginyeria Barcelona Est (EEBE)and Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CREB)Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)c/Eduard Maristany 14Barcelona08019Spain
- Biomaterials and Tissue EngineeringInstitut de Recerca Sant Joan de DéuSanta Rosa 39–57Esplugues de Llobregat08950Spain
| | - Abraham Lin
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine‐Antwerp (PLASMANT)Department of ChemistryUniversity of AntwerpUniversiteitsplein 1Wilrijk‐Antwerp2610Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE)Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpUniversiteitsplein 1Wilrijk‐Antwerp2610Belgium
| | - Cristina Canal
- BiomaterialsBiomechanics and Tissue Engineering GroupDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringEscola d'Enginyeria Barcelona Est (EEBE)and Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CREB)Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)c/Eduard Maristany 14Barcelona08019Spain
- Biomaterials and Tissue EngineeringInstitut de Recerca Sant Joan de DéuSanta Rosa 39–57Esplugues de Llobregat08950Spain
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Lin A, De Backer J, Quatannens D, Cuypers B, Verswyvel H, De La Hoz EC, Ribbens B, Siozopoulou V, Van Audenaerde J, Marcq E, Lardon F, Laukens K, Vanlanduit S, Smits E, Bogaerts A. The effect of local non-thermal plasma therapy on the cancer-immunity cycle in a melanoma mouse model. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10314. [PMID: 36176603 PMCID: PMC9472020 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma remains a deadly cancer despite significant advances in immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. The incidence of melanoma is also growing worldwide, which highlights the need for novel treatment options and strategic combination of therapies. Here, we investigate non-thermal plasma (NTP), an ionized gas, as a promising, therapeutic option. In a melanoma mouse model, direct treatment of tumors with NTP results in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Physical characterization of NTP treatment in situ reveals the deposited NTP energy and temperature associated with therapy response, and whole transcriptome analysis of the tumor identified several modulated pathways. NTP treatment also enhances the cancer-immunity cycle, as immune cells in both the tumor and tumor-draining lymph nodes appear more stimulated to perform their anti-cancer functions. Thus, our data suggest that local NTP therapy stimulates systemic, anti-cancer immunity. We discuss, in detail, how these fundamental insights will help direct the translation of NTP technology into the clinic and inform rational combination strategies to address the challenges in melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Lin
- PLASMANT‐Research GroupUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Joey De Backer
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Delphine Quatannens
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer ScienceUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpenBelgium
| | - Hanne Verswyvel
- PLASMANT‐Research GroupUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | | | - Bart Ribbens
- Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab)University of AntwerpAntwerpenBelgium
| | | | - Jonas Van Audenaerde
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Elly Marcq
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer ScienceUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpenBelgium
| | - Steve Vanlanduit
- Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab)University of AntwerpAntwerpenBelgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON)University of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
| | - Annemie Bogaerts
- PLASMANT‐Research GroupUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpen‐WilrijkBelgium
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8
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Limanowski R, Yan D, Li L, Keidar M. Preclinical Cold Atmospheric Plasma Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143461. [PMID: 35884523 PMCID: PMC9316208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is generated in a rapid yet low-energy input streamer-discharge process at atmospheric pressure conditions. CAP is an ionized gas with a low ionization level and plenty of reactive species and radicals. These reactive components, and their near-room temperature nature, make CAP a powerful tool in medical applications, particularly cancer therapy. Here, we summarized the latest development and status of preclinical applications of CAP in cancer therapy, which may guide further clinical studies of CAP-based cancer therapy. Abstract CAP is an ionized gas generated under atmospheric pressure conditions. Due to its reactive chemical components and near-room temperature nature, CAP has promising applications in diverse branches of medicine, including microorganism sterilization, biofilm inactivation, wound healing, and cancer therapy. Currently, hundreds of in vitro demonstrations of CAP-based cancer treatments have been reported. However, preclinical studies, particularly in vivo studies, are pivotal to achieving a final clinical application. Here, we comprehensively introduced the research status of the preclinical usage of CAP in cancer treatment, by primarily focusing on the in vivo studies over the past decade. We summarized the primary research strategies in preclinical and clinical studies, including transdermal CAP treatment, post-surgical CAP treatment, CAP-activated solutions treatment, and sensitization treatment to drugs. Finally, the underlying mechanism was discussed based on the latest understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Limanowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
| | - Dayun Yan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.Y.); (M.K.)
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
| | - Michael Keidar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.Y.); (M.K.)
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9
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Min T, Xie X, Ren K, Sun T, Wang H, Dang C, Zhang H. Therapeutic Effects of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Solid Tumor. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:884887. [PMID: 35646968 PMCID: PMC9139675 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.884887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a devastating disease, and there is no particularly effective treatment at present. Recently, a new treatment, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), has been proposed. At present, CAP is confirmed to have selective killing effect on tumor by many studies in vitro and in vivo. A targeted literature search was carried out on the study of cold atmospheric plasma. Through analysis and screening, a narrative review approach was selected to describe therapeutic effects of cold atmospheric plasma on solid tumor. According to the recent studies on plasma, some hypothetical therapeutic schemes of CAP are proposed in this paper. The killing mechanism of CAP on solid tumor is expounded in terms of the selectivity of CAP to tumor, the effects of CAP on cells, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune system. CAP has many effects on solid tumors, and these effects are dose-dependent. The effects of optimal doses of CAP on solid tumors include killing tumor cells, inhibiting non-malignant cells and ECM in TME, affecting the communication between tumor cells, and inducing immunogenic death of tumor cells. In addition, several promising research directions of CAP are proposed in this review, which provide guidance for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Min
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaijie Ren
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tuanhe Sun
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haonan Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chengxue Dang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Chengxue Dang
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Hao Zhang
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Trzeciak ER, Zimmer N, Gehringer I, Stein L, Graefen B, Schupp J, Stephan A, Rietz S, Prantner M, Tuettenberg A. Oxidative Stress Differentially Influences the Survival and Metabolism of Cells in the Melanoma Microenvironment. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060930. [PMID: 35326381 PMCID: PMC8946823 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment, including tumor, immune, stromal, and endothelial cells, significantly influences responses to cancer therapies. In this study, we analyzed the impact of oxidative stress, induced by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), on tumor cells, T cells, and macrophages, which comprise part of the melanoma microenvironment. To accomplish this, cells were grown in different in vitro cell culture models and were treated with varying amounts of CAP. Subsequent alterations in viability, proliferation, and phenotype were analyzed via flow cytometry and metabolic alterations by Seahorse Cell Mito Stress Tests. It was found that cells generally exhibited reduced viability and proliferation, stemming from CAP induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis, as well as increased mitochondrial stress following CAP treatment. Overall, sensitivity to CAP treatment was found to be cell type dependent with T cells being the most affected. Interestingly, CAP influenced the polarization of M0 macrophages to a "M0/M2-like" phenotype, and M1 macrophages were found to display a heightened sensitivity to CAP induced mitochondrial stress. CAP also inhibited the growth and killed melanoma cells in 2D and 3D in vitro cell culture models in a dose-dependent manner. Improving our understanding of oxidative stress, mechanisms to manipulate it, and its implications for the tumor microenvironment may help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Trzeciak
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Niklas Zimmer
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Isabelle Gehringer
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Lara Stein
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Barbara Graefen
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Jonathan Schupp
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Achim Stephan
- BOWA-Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, 72810 Gomaringen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Stephan Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Michael Prantner
- BOWA-Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, 72810 Gomaringen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Andrea Tuettenberg
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (E.R.T.); (N.Z.); (I.G.); (L.S.); (B.G.); (J.S.); (S.R.)
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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11
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Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Operated in Ar and He: From Basic Plasma Properties to Vacuum Ultraviolet, Electric Field and Safety Thresholds Measurements in Plasma Medicine. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12020644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Application desired functionality as well as operation expenses of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) devices scale with properties like gas selection. The present contribution provides a comparative investigation for a CAP system operated in argon or helium at different operation voltages and distance to the surface. Comparison of power dissipation, electrical field strength and optical emission spectroscopy from vacuum ultraviolet over visible up to near infrared ((V)UV-VIS-NIR) spectral range is carried out. This study is extended to safety relevant investigation of patient leakage current, induced surface temperature and species density for ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). It is found that in identical operation conditions (applied voltage, distance to surface and gas flow rate) the dissipated plasma power is about equal (up to 10 W), but the electrical field strength differs, having peak values of 320 kV/m for Ar and up to 300 kV/m for He. However, only for Ar CAP could we measure O3 up to 2 ppm and NOx up to 7 ppm. The surface temperature and leakage values of both systems showed different slopes, with the biggest surprise being a constant leakage current over distance for argon. These findings may open a new direction in the plasma source development for Plasma Medicine.
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12
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H2A.X Phosphorylation in Oxidative Stress and Risk Assessment in Plasma Medicine. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:2060986. [PMID: 34938381 PMCID: PMC8687853 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2060986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
At serine139-phosphorylated gamma histone H2A.X (γH2A.X) has been established over the decades as sensitive evidence of radiation-induced DNA damage, especially DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in radiation biology. Therefore, γH2A.X has been considered a suitable marker for biomedical applications and a general indicator of direct DNA damage with other therapeutic agents, such as cold physical plasma. Medical plasma technology generates a partially ionized gas releasing a plethora of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS) simultaneously that have been used for therapeutic purposes such as wound healing and cancer treatment. The quantification of γH2A.X as a surrogate parameter of direct DNA damage has often been used to assess genotoxicity in plasma-treated cells, whereas no sustainable mutagenic potential of the medical plasma treatment could be identified despite H2A.X phosphorylation. However, phosphorylated H2A.X occurs during apoptosis, which is associated with exposure to cold plasma and ROS. This review summarizes the current understanding of γH2A.X induction and function in oxidative stress in general and plasma medicine in particular. Due to the progress towards understanding the mechanisms of H2A.X phosphorylation in the absence of DSB and ROS, observations of γH2A.X in medical fields should be carefully interpreted.
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13
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Cold Physical Plasma in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Signaling, and Immunity. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:9916796. [PMID: 35284036 PMCID: PMC8906949 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9916796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in therapy, cancer still is a devastating and life-threatening disease, motivating novel research lines in oncology. Cold physical plasma, a partially ionized gas, is a new modality in cancer research. Physical plasma produces various physicochemical factors, primarily reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), causing cancer cell death when supplied at supraphysiological concentrations. This review outlines the biomedical consequences of plasma treatment in experimental cancer therapy, including cell death modalities. It also summarizes current knowledge on intracellular signaling pathways triggered by plasma treatment to induce cancer cell death. Besides the inactivation of tumor cells, an equally important aspect is the inflammatory context in which cell death occurs to suppress or promote the responses of immune cells. This is mainly governed by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to provoke immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) that, in turn, activates cells of the innate immune system to promote adaptive antitumor immunity. The pivotal role of the immune system in cancer treatment, in general, is highlighted by many clinical trials and success stories on using checkpoint immunotherapy. Hence, the potential of plasma treatment to induce ICD in tumor cells to promote immunity targeting cancer lesions systemically is also discussed.
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14
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Multi-Modal Biological Destruction by Cold Atmospheric Plasma: Capability and Mechanism. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091259. [PMID: 34572443 PMCID: PMC8465976 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a near-room-temperature, partially ionized gas composed of reactive neutral and charged species. CAP also generates physical factors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thermal and electromagnetic (EM) effects. Studies over the past decade demonstrated that CAP could effectively induce death in a wide range of cell types, from mammalian to bacterial cells. Viruses can also be inactivated by a CAP treatment. The CAP-triggered cell-death types mainly include apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy-associated cell death. Cell death and virus inactivation triggered by CAP are the foundation of the emerging medical applications of CAP, including cancer therapy, sterilization, and wound healing. Here, we systematically analyze the entire picture of multi-modal biological destruction by CAP treatment and their underlying mechanisms based on the latest discoveries particularly the physical effects on cancer cells.
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15
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Bekeschus S, Liebelt G, Menz J, Berner J, Sagwal SK, Wende K, Weltmann KD, Boeckmann L, von Woedtke T, Metelmann HR, Emmert S, Schmidt A. Tumor cell metabolism correlates with resistance to gas plasma treatment: The evaluation of three dogmas. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 167:12-28. [PMID: 33711420 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gas plasma is a partially ionized gas increasingly recognized for targeting cancer. Several hypotheses attempt to explain the link between plasma treatment and cytotoxicity in cancer cells, all focusing on cellular membranes that are the first to be exposed to plasma-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). One proposes high levels of aquaporins, membrane transporters of water and hydrogen peroxide, to mark tumor cell line sensitivity to plasma treatment. A second focuses on membrane-expression of redox-related enzymes such as NADPH oxidases (NOX) that may modify or amplify the effects of plasma-derived ROS, fueling plasma-induced cancer cell death. Another hypothesis is that the decreased cholesterol content of tumor cell membranes sensitizes these to plasma-mediated oxidation and subsequently, cytotoxicity. Screening 33 surface molecules in 36 tumor cell lines in correlation to their sensitivity to plasma treatment, the expression of aquaporins or NOX members could not explain the sensitivity but were rather associated with treatment resistance. Correlation with transporter or enzyme activity was not tested. Analysis of cholesterol content confirmed the proposed positive correlation with treatment resistance. Strikingly, the strongest correlation was found for baseline metabolic activity (Spearman r = 0.76). Altogether, these data suggest tumor cell metabolism as a novel testable hypothesis to explain cancer cell resistance to gas plasma treatment for further elucidating this innovative field's chances and limitations in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Grit Liebelt
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jonas Menz
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Julia Berner
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Sagwal
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kristian Wende
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Klaus-Dieter Weltmann
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lars Boeckmann
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Rostock University Medical Center, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Thomas von Woedtke
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Greifswald University Medical Center, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48A, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans-Robert Metelmann
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Sauerbruchstr, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Steffen Emmert
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Rostock University Medical Center, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anke Schmidt
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
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16
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Schmidt A, Liebelt G, Nießner F, von Woedtke T, Bekeschus S. Gas plasma-spurred wound healing is accompanied by regulation of focal adhesion, matrix remodeling, and tissue oxygenation. Redox Biol 2021; 38:101809. [PMID: 33271456 PMCID: PMC7710641 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to injury, efficient migration of skin cells to rapidly close the wound and restore barrier function requires a range of coordinated processes in cell spreading and migration. Gas plasma technology produces therapeutic reactive species that promote skin regeneration by driving proliferation and angiogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating gas plasma-aided cell adhesion and matrix remodeling essential for wound closure remain elusive. Here, we combined in vitro analyses in primary dermal fibroblasts isolated from murine skin with in vivo studies in a murine wound model to demonstrate that gas plasma treatment changed phosphorylation of signaling molecules such as focal adhesion kinase and paxillin α in adhesion-associated complexes. In addition to cell spreading and migration, gas plasma exposure affected cell surface adhesion receptors (e.g., integrinα5β1, syndecan 4), structural proteins (e.g., vinculin, talin, actin), and transcription of genes associated with differentiation markers of fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cellular protrusions, fibronectin fibrillogenesis, matrix metabolism, and matrix metalloproteinase activity. Finally, we documented that gas plasma exposure increased tissue oxygenation and skin perfusion during ROS-driven wound healing. Altogether, these results provide critical insights into the molecular machinery of gas plasma-assisted wound healing mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Schmidt
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Grit Liebelt
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Felix Nießner
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas von Woedtke
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Department of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str., 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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17
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Mahdikia H, Saadati F, Freund E, Gaipl US, Majidzadeh-A K, Shokri B, Bekeschus S. Gas plasma irradiation of breast cancers promotes immunogenicity, tumor reduction, and an abscopal effect in vivo. Oncoimmunology 2020; 10:1859731. [PMID: 33457077 PMCID: PMC7781742 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1859731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
While many new and emerging therapeutic concepts have appeared throughout the last decades, cancer still is fatal in many patients. At the same time, the importance of immunology in oncotherapy is increasingly recognized, not only since the advent of checkpoint therapy. Among the many types of tumors, also breast cancer has an immunological dimension that might be exploited best by increasing the immunogenicity of the tumors in the microenvironment. To this end, we tested a novel therapeutic concept, gas plasma irradiation, for its ability to promote the immunogenicity and increase the toxicity of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this emerging medical technology is employing a plethora of reactive oxygen species being deposited on the target cells and tissues. Using 2D cultures and 3D tumor spheroids, we found gas plasma-irradiation to drive apoptosis and immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) in vitro, as evidenced by an increased expression of calreticulin, heat-shock proteins 70 and 90, and MHC-I. In 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice, the gas plasma irradiation markedly decreased tumor burden and increased survival. Interestingly, non-treated tumors injected in the opposite flank of mice exposed to our novel treatment also exhibited reduced growth, arguing for an abscopal effect. This was concomitant with an increase of apoptosis and tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells as well as dendritic cells in the tissues. In summary, we found gas plasma-irradiated murine breast cancers to induce toxicity and augmented immunogenicity, leading to reduced tumor growth at a site remote to the treatment area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Mahdikia
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.,Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Fariba Saadati
- Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Eric Freund
- Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Udo S Gaipl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Shokri
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Physics, Shahid Beheshti University,Tehran, Iran
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
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18
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Hasse S, Meder T, Freund E, von Woedtke T, Bekeschus S. Plasma Treatment Limits Human Melanoma Spheroid Growth and Metastasis Independent of the Ambient Gas Composition. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092570. [PMID: 32917026 PMCID: PMC7565798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite recent advances in therapeutic options, melanoma remains a deadly disease with a poor prognosis. Physical gas plasma has been proposed as a promising technology for the treatment of melanoma. This study aimed to develop and investigate a convenient test system based on three-dimensional cell cultures (spheroids) of two melanoma cell lines in response to physical gas plasma. The experimental approach combined high-content imaging technology and different gas plasma treatment modalities (direct and indirect, gas compositions). Our results revealed that plasma treatment was toxic for both cell lines predominantly dependent on the treatment time. Furthermore, we addressed the question of safety and morphological changes in response to physical gas plasma exposure and found no support for metastatic progression. Treatment with physical gas plasma effectively limited the growth of human 3D melanoma spheroids and provided a versatile test system for more in vivo-like tumor tissue. Abstract Melanoma skin cancer is still a deadly disease despite recent advances in therapy. Previous studies have suggested medical plasma technology as a promising modality for melanoma treatment. However, the efficacy of plasmas operated under different ambient air conditions and the comparison of direct and indirect plasma treatments are mostly unexplored for this tumor entity. Moreover, exactly how plasma treatment affects melanoma metastasis has still not been explained. Using 3D tumor spheroid models and high-content imaging technology, we addressed these questions by utilizing one metastatic and one non-metastatic human melanoma cell line targeted with an argon plasma jet. Plasma treatment was toxic in both cell lines. Modulating the oxygen and nitrogen ambient air composition (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100) gave similar toxicity and reduced the spheroid growth for all conditions. This was the case for both direct and indirect treatments, with the former showing a treatment time-dependent response while the latter resulted in cytotoxicity with the longest treatment time investigated. Live-cell imaging of in-gel cultured spheroids indicated that plasma treatment did not enhance metastasis, and flow cytometry showed a significant modulation of S100A4 but not in any of the five other metastasis-related markers (β-catenin, E-cadherin, LEF1, SLUG, and ZEB1) investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Hasse
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); tita-meder-@gmx.de (T.M.); (E.F.); (T.v.W.)
| | - Tita Meder
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); tita-meder-@gmx.de (T.M.); (E.F.); (T.v.W.)
| | - Eric Freund
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); tita-meder-@gmx.de (T.M.); (E.F.); (T.v.W.)
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str., 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas von Woedtke
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); tita-meder-@gmx.de (T.M.); (E.F.); (T.v.W.)
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Greifswald University Medical Center, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.H.); tita-meder-@gmx.de (T.M.); (E.F.); (T.v.W.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Moritz J, Metelmann HR, Bekeschus S. Physical Plasma Treatment of Eight Human Cancer Cell Lines Demarcates Upregulation of CD112 as a Common Immunomodulatory Response Element. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2019.2936790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Semmler ML, Bekeschus S, Schäfer M, Bernhardt T, Fischer T, Witzke K, Seebauer C, Rebl H, Grambow E, Vollmar B, Nebe JB, Metelmann HR, von Woedtke T, Emmert S, Boeckmann L. Molecular Mechanisms of the Efficacy of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) in Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020269. [PMID: 31979114 PMCID: PMC7072164 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the potential use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) in cancer treatment has gained increasing interest. Especially the enhanced selective killing of tumor cells compared to normal cells has prompted researchers to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for the efficacy of CAP in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the current understanding of how CAP triggers intracellular pathways that induce growth inhibition or cell death. We discuss what factors may contribute to the potential selectivity of CAP towards cancer cells compared to their non-malignant counterparts. Furthermore, the potential of CAP to trigger an immune response is briefly discussed. Finally, this overview demonstrates how these concepts bear first fruits in clinical applications applying CAP treatment in head and neck squamous cell cancer as well as actinic keratosis. Although significant progress towards understanding the underlying mechanisms regarding the efficacy of CAP in cancer treatment has been made, much still needs to be done with respect to different treatment conditions and comparison of malignant and non-malignant cells of the same cell type and same donor. Furthermore, clinical pilot studies and the assessment of systemic effects will be of tremendous importance towards bringing this innovative technology into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Luise Semmler
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.B.); (T.v.W.)
| | - Mirijam Schäfer
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Thoralf Bernhardt
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Tobias Fischer
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Katharina Witzke
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (K.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Christian Seebauer
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (K.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Henrike Rebl
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.R.); (J.B.N.)
| | - Eberhard Grambow
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (E.G.); (B.V.)
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (E.G.); (B.V.)
| | - J. Barbara Nebe
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.R.); (J.B.N.)
| | - Hans-Robert Metelmann
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (K.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Thomas von Woedtke
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), 17489 Greifswald, Germany; (S.B.); (T.v.W.)
| | - Steffen Emmert
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Lars Boeckmann
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (M.L.S.); (M.S.); (T.B.); (T.F.); (S.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-381-494-9760
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Bekeschus S, Eisenmann S, Sagwal SK, Bodnar Y, Moritz J, Poschkamp B, Stoffels I, Emmert S, Madesh M, Weltmann KD, von Woedtke T, Gandhirajan RK. xCT (SLC7A11) expression confers intrinsic resistance to physical plasma treatment in tumor cells. Redox Biol 2020; 30:101423. [PMID: 31931281 PMCID: PMC6957833 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cold physical plasma is a partially ionized gas investigated as a new anticancer tool in selectively targeting cancer cells in monotherapy or in combination with therapeutic agents. Here, we investigated the intrinsic resistance mechanisms of tumor cells towards physical plasma treatment. When analyzing the dose-response relationship to cold plasma-derived oxidants in 11 human cancer cell lines, we identified four 'resistant' and seven 'sensitive' cell lines. We observed stable intracellular glutathione levels following plasma treatment only in the 'resistant' cell lines indicative of altered antioxidant mechanisms. Assessment of proteins involved in GSH metabolism revealed cystine-glutamate antiporter xCT (SLC7A11) to be significantly more abundant in the 'resistant' cell lines as compared to 'sensitive' cell lines. This decisive role of xCT was confirmed by pharmacological and genetic inhibition, followed by cold physical plasma treatment. Finally, microscopy analysis of ex vivo plasma-treated human melanoma punch biopsies suggested a correlation between apoptosis and basal xCT protein abundance. Taken together, our results demonstrate that xCT holds the potential as a biomarker predicting the sensitivity of tumor cells towards plasma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Bekeschus
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Eisenmann
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Sagwal
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yana Bodnar
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Juliane Moritz
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Broder Poschkamp
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Greifswald University Medical Center, Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ingo Stoffels
- University Hospital Essen, Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Steffen Emmert
- Rostock University Medical Center, Clinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Muniswamy Madesh
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Klaus-Dieter Weltmann
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas von Woedtke
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rajesh Kumar Gandhirajan
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), ZIK Plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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22
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Identification of Two Kinase Inhibitors with Synergistic Toxicity with Low-Dose Hydrogen Peroxide in Colorectal Cancer Cells in vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010122. [PMID: 31906582 PMCID: PMC7016670 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma is among the most common types of cancers. With this disease, diffuse scattering in the abdominal area (peritoneal carcinosis) often occurs before diagnosis, making surgical removal of the entire malignant tissue impossible due to a large number of tumor nodules. Previous treatment options include radiation and its combination with intraperitoneal heat-induced chemotherapy (HIPEC). Both options have strong side effects and are often poor in therapeutic efficacy. Tumor cells often grow and proliferate dysregulated, with enzymes of the protein kinase family often playing a crucial role. The present study investigated whether a combination of protein kinase inhibitors and low-dose induction of oxidative stress (using hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) has an additive cytotoxic effect on murine, colorectal tumor cells (CT26). Protein kinase inhibitors from a library of 80 substances were used to investigate colorectal cancer cells for their activity, morphology, and immunogenicity (immunogenic cancer cell death, ICD) upon mono or combination. Toxic compounds identified in 2D cultures were confirmed in 3D cultures, and additive cytotoxicity was identified for the substances lavendustin A, GF109203X, and rapamycin. Toxicity was concomitant with cell cycle arrest, but except HMGB1, no increased expression of immunogenic markers was identified with the combination treatment. The results were validated for GF109203X and rapamycin but not lavendustin A in the 3D model of different colorectal (HT29, SW480) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (MiaPaca, Panc01). In conclusion, our in vitro data suggest that combining oxidative stress with chemotherapy would be conceivable to enhance antitumor efficacy in HIPEC.
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23
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Immunology in Plasma Cancer Treatment. SPRINGER SERIES ON ATOMIC, OPTICAL, AND PLASMA PHYSICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-49966-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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24
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Wolff CM, Steuer A, Stoffels I, von Woedtke T, Weltmann KD, Bekeschus S, Kolb JF. Combination of cold plasma and pulsed electric fields – A rationale for cancer patients in palliative care. CLINICAL PLASMA MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpme.2020.100096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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25
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Khalili M, Daniels L, Lin A, Krebs FC, Snook AE, Bekeschus S, Bowne WB, Miller V. Non-Thermal Plasma-Induced Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer: A Topical Review. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D: APPLIED PHYSICS 2019; 52:423001. [PMID: 31485083 PMCID: PMC6726388 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/ab31c1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in biomedical research in cancer immunotherapy have identified the use of an oxidative stress-based approach to treat cancers, which works by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer cells. Since the anti-cancer effects of non-thermal plasma (NTP) are largely attributed to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are delivered to and generated inside the target cancer cells, it is reasonable to postulate that NTP would be an effective modality for ICD induction. NTP treatment of tumors has been shown to destroy cancer cells rapidly and, under specific treatment regimens, this leads to systemic tumor-specific immunity. The translational benefit of NTP for treatment of cancer relies on its ability to enhance the interactions between NTP-exposed tumor cells and local immune cells which initiates subsequent protective immune responses. This review discusses results from recent investigations of NTP application to induce immunogenic cell death in cancer cells. With further optimization of clinical devices and treatment protocols, NTP can become an essential part of the therapeutic armament against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Khalili
- Division of Surgery Oncology, Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lynsey Daniels
- Division of Surgery Oncology, Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Abraham Lin
- Plasma, Laser Ablation, and Surface Modeling (PLASMANT) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp
| | - Fred C. Krebs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute for Molecular Medicine &. Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adam E. Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- Centre for Innovation Competence (ZIK) plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), Felix-Hausdorff-Str.2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Wilbur B. Bowne
- Division of Surgery Oncology, Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Vandana Miller
- Division of Surgery Oncology, Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute for Molecular Medicine &. Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Centre for Innovation Competence (ZIK) plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), Felix-Hausdorff-Str.2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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26
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Bauer G, Sersenová D, Graves DB, Machala Z. Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Plasma-Activated Medium Trigger RONS-Based Tumor Cell Apoptosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14210. [PMID: 31578342 PMCID: PMC6775051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The selective in vitro anti-tumor mechanisms of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-activated media (PAM) follow a sequential multi-step process. The first step involves the formation of primary singlet oxygen (1O2) through the complex interaction between NO2− and H2O2.1O2 then inactivates some membrane-associated catalase molecules on at least a few tumor cells. With some molecules of their protective catalase inactivated, these tumor cells allow locally surviving cell-derived, extracellular H2O2 and ONOO─ to form secondary 1O2. These species continue to inactivate catalase on the originally triggered cells and on adjacent cells. At the site of inactivated catalase, cell-generated H2O2 enters the cell via aquaporins, depletes glutathione and thus abrogates the cell’s protection towards lipid peroxidation. Optimal inactivation of catalase then allows efficient apoptosis induction through the HOCl signaling pathway that is finalized by lipid peroxidation. An identical CAP exposure did not result in apoptosis for nonmalignant cells. A key conclusion from these experiments is that tumor cell-generated RONS play the major role in inactivating protective catalase, depleting glutathione and establishing apoptosis-inducing RONS signaling. CAP or PAM exposure only trigger this response by initially inactivating a small percentage of protective membrane associated catalase molecules on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Bauer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Dominika Sersenová
- Division of Environmental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - David B Graves
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA
| | - Zdenko Machala
- Division of Environmental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Bauer G, Sersenová D, Graves DB, Machala Z. Dynamics of Singlet Oxygen-Triggered, RONS-Based Apoptosis Induction after Treatment of Tumor Cells with Cold Atmospheric Plasma or Plasma-Activated Medium. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13931. [PMID: 31558835 PMCID: PMC6763425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of tumor cells with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) or with plasma-activated medium (PAM) leads to a biochemical imprint on these cells. This imprint is mediated by primary singlet oxygen, which is mainly generated through the interaction between CAP-derived H2O2 and NO2-. This imprint is induced with a low efficiency as local inactivation of a few membrane-associated catalase molecules. As sustained generation of secondary singlet oxygen by the tumor cells is activated at the site of the imprint, a rapid bystander effect-like spreading of secondary singlet oxygen generation and catalase inactivation within the cell population is thus induced. This highly dynamic process is essentially driven by NOX1 and NOS of the tumor cells, and finally leads to intercellular RONS-driven apoptosis induction. This dynamic process can be studied by kinetic analysis, combined with the use of specific inhibitors at defined time intervals. Alternatively, it can be demonstrated and quantified by transfer experiments, where pretreated cells are mixed with untreated cells and bystander signaling is determined. These studies allow to conclude that the specific response of tumor cells to generate secondary singlet oxygen is the essential motor for their self-destruction, after a singlet oxygen-mediated triggering process by CAP or PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Bauer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Dominika Sersenová
- Division of Environmental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - David B Graves
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA
| | - Zdenko Machala
- Division of Environmental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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28
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Multimodal Nonlinear Microscopy for Therapy Monitoring of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10090564. [PMID: 31454918 PMCID: PMC6780561 DOI: 10.3390/mi10090564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we report on a non-linear spectroscopic method for visualization of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)-induced changes in tissue for reaching a new quality level of CAP application in medicine via online monitoring of wound or cancer treatment. A combination of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has been used for non-invasive and label-free detection of CAP-induced changes on human skin and mucosa samples. By correlation with histochemical staining, the observed local increase in fluorescence could be assigned to melanin. CARS and SHG prove the integrity of the tissue structure, visualize tissue morphology and composition. The influence of plasma effects by variation of plasma parameters e.g., duration of treatment, gas composition and plasma source has been evaluated. Overall quantitative spectroscopic markers could be identified for a direct monitoring of CAP-treated tissue areas, which is very important for translating CAPs into clinical routine.
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29
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Boehm D, Bourke P. Safety implications of plasma-induced effects in living cells - a review of in vitro and in vivo findings. Biol Chem 2019; 400:3-17. [PMID: 30044756 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma is a versatile new tool in the biomedical field with applications ranging from disinfection, wound healing and tissue regeneration to blood coagulation, and cancer treatment. Along with improved insights into the underlying physical, chemical and biological principles, plasma medicine has also made important advances in the introduction into the clinic. However, in the absence of a standard plasma 'dose' definition, the diversity of the field poses certain difficulties in terms of comparability of plasma devices, treatment parameters and resulting biological effects, particularly with regards to the question of what constitutes a safe plasma application. Data from various in vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic studies along with in vivo findings from animal and human trials are reviewed to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the safety of plasma for biological applications. Treatment parameters employed in clinical studies were well tolerated but intense treatment conditions can also induce tissue damage or genotoxicity. There is a need identified to establish both guidelines and safety limits that ensure an absence of (long-term) side effects and to define treatments as safe for applications, where cell stimulation is desired, e.g. in wound healing, or those aimed at inducing cell death in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Boehm
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Plasma Research Group, College of Sciences and Health, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - Paula Bourke
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Plasma Research Group, College of Sciences and Health, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 1, Ireland
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30
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Bauer G. Intercellular singlet oxygen-mediated bystander signaling triggered by long-lived species of cold atmospheric plasma and plasma-activated medium. Redox Biol 2019; 26:101301. [PMID: 31442912 PMCID: PMC6831840 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of tumor cells with H2O2 and nitrite, two long-lived species derived from cold atmospheric plasma, induces a complex autoamplificatory, singlet oxygen-mediated process, which leads to catalase inactivation and reactivation of intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling. Experimental dissection and quantification of this process is described in this study. When tumor cells were pretreated with H2O2 and nitrite, and then were added to untreated tumor cells, they propaged singlet oxygen mediated catalase inactivation and generation of singlet oxygen to the untreated cell population. This bystander effect allowed to analyze the biochemical requirements of a) induction of the bystander effect-inducing potential, b) transmission of the bystander effect to untreated neighbouring cells, and c) the biochemical consequences of these signaling events. The induction of bystander effect-inducing potential requires the generation of “primary singlet oxygen” through the reactions following the interaction between nitrite and H2O2, followed by local inactivation of a few catalase molecules. This primary effect seems to be very rare, but is efficiently enhanced by the generation of "secondary singlet oxygen" through the interaction between H2O2 and peroxynitrite at the site of inactivated catalase. Transmission of bystander signaling between pretreated and untreated tumor cells depends on the generation of secondary singlet oxygen by the pretreated cells and singlet oxygen-mediated catalase inactivation of the untreated recipient cells. This induces autoamplificatory propagation of secondary singlet oxygen generation in the population. This experimental approach allowed to quantify the efficiencies of primary and secondary singlet oxgen generation after CAP and PAM action, to dissect the system and to study the underlying chemical biology in detail. Our data confirm that CAP and PAM-derived components are merely the trigger for the activation of autoamplificatory mechanisms of tumor cells, whereas the tumor cells efficiently propagate their cell death through their own ROS/RNS signaling potential. Primary 1O2 generated by H2O2 and NO2─ induces in tumor cells the potential for bystander signaling. Bystander signaling depends on inactivation of membrane-associated catalase. It is propagated by secondary singlet oxgen generated by cell-derived H2O2 and peroxynitrite. The action of primary singlet oxygen is a rare effect. Secondary singlet oxygen is generated in a sustained mode and acts efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Bauer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder Str. 11, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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31
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Bauer G. The synergistic effect between hydrogen peroxide and nitrite, two long-lived molecular species from cold atmospheric plasma, triggers tumor cells to induce their own cell death. Redox Biol 2019; 26:101291. [PMID: 31421409 PMCID: PMC6831866 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrite and H2O2 are long-lived species in cold atmospheric plasma and plasma-activated medium. It is known that their synergistic interaction is required for selective apoptosis induction in tumor cells that are treated with plasma-activated medium. This study shows that the interaction between nitrite and H2O2 leads to the formation of peroxynitrite, followed by singlet oxygen generation through the interaction between peroxynitrite and residual H2O2. This primary singlet oxygen causes local inactivation of few catalase molecules on the surface of tumor cells. As a consequence, H2O2 and peroxynitrite that are constantly produced by tumor cells and are usually decomposed by their protective membrane-associated catalase, are surviving at the site of locally inactivated catalase. This leads to the generation of secondary singlet oxygen through the interaction between tumor cell-derived H2O2 and peroxynitrite. This selfsustained process leads to autoamplification of secondary singlet oxygen generation and catalase inactivation. Inactivation of catalase allows the influx of H2O2 through aquaporins, leading to intracellular glutathione depletion and sensitization of the cells for apoptosis induction through lipid peroxidation. It also allows to establish intercellular apoptosis-inducing HOCl signaling, driven by active NOX1 and finalized by lipid peroxidation through hydroxyl radicals that activates the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. This experimentally established model is based on a triggering function of CAP and PAM-derived H2O2/nitrite that causes selective cell death in tumor cells based on their own ROS and RNS. This model explains the selectivity of CAP and PAM action towards tumor cells and is in contradiction to previous models that implicated that ROS/RNS from CAP or PAM were sufficient to directly cause cell death of tumor cells. H2O2 and nitrite generate peroxynitrite, followed by primary singlet oxygen formation. Primary singlet oxygen causes local inactivation of tumor cell protective catalase. Amplificatory generation of secondary singlet oxygen and catalase inactivation are established. Inactivation of catalase allows aquaporin-mediated influx of H2O2 and glutathione depletion. In this way, CAP and PAM trigger tumor cells to contribute to their own cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Bauer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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32
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Activation of Murine Immune Cells upon Co-culture with Plasma-treated B16F10 Melanoma Cells. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9040660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in melanoma therapy increased median survival in patients. However, death rates are still high, motivating the need of novel avenues in melanoma treatment. Cold physical plasma expels a cocktail of reactive species that have been suggested for cancer treatment. High species concentrations can be used to exploit apoptotic redox signaling pathways in tumor cells. Moreover, an immune-stimulatory role of plasma treatment, as well as plasma-killed tumor cells, was recently proposed, but studies using primary immune cells are scarce. To this end, we investigated the role of plasma-treated murine B16F10 melanoma cells in modulating murine immune cells’ activation and marker profile. Melanoma cells exposed to plasma showed reduced metabolic and migratory activity, and an increased release of danger signals (ATP, CXCL1). This led to an altered cytokine profile with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and CCL4 being significantly increased in plasma-treated mono- and co-cultures with immune cells. In T cells, plasma-treated melanoma cells induced extracellular signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and increased CD28 expression, suggesting their activation. In monocytes, CD115 expression was elevated as a marker for activation. In summary, here we provide proof of concept that plasma-killed tumor cells are recognized immunologically, and that plasma exerts stimulating effects on immune cells alone.
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33
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Cold Physical Plasma Modulates p53 and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Keratinocytes. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7017363. [PMID: 30733851 PMCID: PMC6348845 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7017363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) driven signaling plays a significant role in wound healing processes by controlling cell functionality and wound phase transitions. The application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP), a partially ionized gas expelling a variety of ROS and RNS, was shown to be effective in chronic wound management and contrastingly also in malignant diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood but redox signaling events are involved. As a central player, the cellular tumor antigen p53 governs regulatory networks controlling proliferation, death, or metabolism, all of which are grossly modulated by anti- and prooxidant signals. Using a human skin cell model, a transient phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p53, preceded by the phosphorylation of upstream serine- (ATM) and serine/threonine-protein kinase (ATR), was detected after CAP treatment. Results indicate that ATM acts as a direct redox sensor without relevant contribution of phosphorylation of the histone A2X, a marker of DNA damage. Downstream events are the activation of checkpoint kinases Chk1/2 and several mitogen-activated (MAP) kinases. Subsequently, the expression of MAP kinase signaling effectors (e.g., heat shock protein Hsp27), epithelium derived growth factors, and cytokines (Interleukins 6 + 8) was increased. A number of p53 downstream effectors pointed at a decrease of cell growth due to DNA repair processes. In summary, CAP treatment led to an activation of cell repair and defense mechanisms including a modulation of paracrine inflammatory signals emphasizing the role of prooxidant species in CAP-related cell signaling.
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34
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Combination of chemotherapy and physical plasma elicits melanoma cell death via upregulation of SLC22A16. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1179. [PMID: 30518936 PMCID: PMC6281583 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1221-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer that develops drug resistance leading to poor prognosis. Efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor tissue remains a major challenge in treatment regimens. Using murine (B16) and human (SK-MEL-28) melanoma cells, we investigated traditional cytotoxic agents in combination with cold physical plasma-derived oxidants. We report synergistic cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and epirubicin, and additive toxicity of oxaliplatin with plasma exposure in coefficient of drug interaction analysis. The combination treatment led to an increased DNA damage response (increased phosphorylation of ATM, γ-H2AX foci, and micronuclei formation). There was also an enhanced secretion of immunogenic cell death markers ATP and CXCL10 in cell culture supernatants following combination treatment. The observed synergistic effects in tumor cells was due to enhanced intracellular doxorubicin accumulation via upregulation of the organic cationic transporter SLC22A16 by plasma treatment. The doxorubicin uptake was reversed by pretreating cells with antioxidants or calcium influx inhibitor BTP2. Endoribonuclease-prepared siRNAs (esiRNA)-mediated knockdown of SLC22A16 inhibited the additive cytotoxic effect in tumor cells. SK-MEL 28 and THP-1 monocytes co-culture led to greater THP-1 cell migration and SK-MEL-28 cytotoxicity when compared with controls. Taken together, we propose pro-oxidant treatment modalities to sensitize chemoresistant melanoma cells towards subsequent chemotherapy, which may serve as therapeutic strategy in combination treatment in oncology.
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Bekeschus S, Freund E, Wende K, Gandhirajan RK, Schmidt A. Hmox1 Upregulation Is a Mutual Marker in Human Tumor Cells Exposed to Physical Plasma-Derived Oxidants. Antioxidants (Basel) 2018; 7:E151. [PMID: 30373228 PMCID: PMC6262576 DOI: 10.3390/antiox7110151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing numbers of cancer deaths worldwide demand for new treatment avenues. Cold physical plasma is a partially ionized gas expelling a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which can be harnesses therapeutically. Plasmas and plasma-treated liquids have antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo. Yet, global response signatures to plasma treatment have not yet been identified. To this end, we screened eight human cancer cell lines to investigate effects of low-dose, tumor-static plasma-treated medium (PTM) on cellular activity, immune-modulatory properties, and transcriptional levels of 22 redox-related genes. With PTM, a moderate reduction of metabolic activity and modest modulation of chemokine/cytokine pattern and markers of immunogenic cell death was observed. Strikingly, the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (nrf2) target heme oxygenase 1 (hmox1) was upregulated in all cell lines 4 h post PTM-treatment. nrf2 was not changed, but its baseline expression inversely and significantly correlated with hmox1 expression after exposure to PTM. Besides awarding hmox1 a central role with plasma-derived oxidants, we present a transcriptional redox map of 22 targets and chemokine/cytokine secretion map of 13 targets across eight different human tumor cell lines of four tumor entities at baseline activity that are useful for future studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Eric Freund
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Kristian Wende
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Rajesh Kumar Gandhirajan
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Anke Schmidt
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
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Plasma Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Cells Mitigates Their Immuno-Modulatory Products Active on THP-1 Monocytes. PLASMA 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/plasma1010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers modulate their microenvironment to favor their growth. In particular, monocytes and macrophages are targeted by immuno-modulatory molecules installed by adjacent tumor cells such as ovarian carcinomas. Cold physical plasma has recently gained attention as innovative tumor therapy. We confirmed this for the OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell lines in a caspase 3/7 independent and dependent manner, respectively. To elaborate whether plasma exposure interferes with their immunomodulatory properties, supernatants of control and plasma-treated tumor cells were added to human THP-1 monocyte cultures. In the latter, modest effects on intracellular oxidation or short-term metabolic activity were observed. By contrast, supernatants of plasma-treated cancer cells abrogated significant changes in morphological and phenotypic features of THP-1 cells compared to those cultured with supernatants of non-treated tumor cell counterparts. This included cell motility and morphology, and modulated expression patterns of nine cell surface markers known to be involved in monocyte activation. This was particularly pronounced in SKOV-3 cells. Further analysis of tumor cell supernatants indicated roles of small particles and interleukin 8 and 18, with MCP1 presumably driving activation in monocytes. Altogether, our results suggest plasma treatment to alleviate immunomodulatory secretory products of ovarian cancer cells is important for driving a distinct myeloid cell phenotype.
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Lin AG, Xiang B, Merlino DJ, Baybutt TR, Sahu J, Fridman A, Snook AE, Miller V. Non-thermal plasma induces immunogenic cell death in vivo in murine CT26 colorectal tumors. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1484978. [PMID: 30228954 PMCID: PMC6140551 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1484978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death is characterized by the emission of danger signals that facilitate activation of an adaptive immune response against dead-cell antigens. In the case of cancer therapy, tumor cells undergoing immunogenic death promote cancer-specific immunity. Identification, characterization, and optimization of stimuli that induce immunogenic cancer cell death has tremendous potential to improve the outcomes of cancer therapy. In this study, we show that non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma can be operated to induce immunogenic cell death in an animal model of colorectal cancer. In vitro, plasma treatment of CT26 colorectal cancer cells induced the release of classic danger signals. Treated cells were used to create a whole-cell vaccine which elicited protective immunity in the CT26 tumor mouse model. Moreover, plasma treatment of subcutaneous tumors elicited emission of danger signals and recruitment of antigen presenting cells into tumors. An increase in T cell responses targeting the colorectal cancer-specific antigen guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) were also observed. This study provides the first evidence that non-thermal plasma is a bone fide inducer of immunogenic cell death and highlights its potential for clinical translation for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham G. Lin
- C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dante J. Merlino
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Trevor R. Baybutt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joya Sahu
- Cutaneous Lymphoma Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Adam E. Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vandana Miller
- C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ, USA
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Pasqual-Melo G, Gandhirajan RK, Stoffels I, Bekeschus S. Targeting malignant melanoma with physical plasmas. CLINICAL PLASMA MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpme.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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