Cold atmospheric plasma inhibits vesicle transport of human osteosarcoma cells visualized by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy

Vesicle transport plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis. As a promising cancer treatment modality, the impact of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on vesicle transport has been barely examined. In this study, super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) was employed to track the intracellular vesicles of osteosarcoma cells. Results indicated that CAP exposure could disintegrate vesicle clusters and individual vesicles. After 20 s of CAP treatment, the average velocity of intracellular vesicles decreased from 0.140 to 0.037 mu m/s, while the 60 s maximum displacement declined from 7.76 to 3.26 mu m. Significant inhibition of vesicle transport between osteosarcoma cells and human bronchial epithelium was observed after CAP treatment. These findings may shed some light on understanding CAP-cancer cell interactions.

Automated summary

Cold atmospheric plasma treatment has a significant impact on vesicle transport, causing disintegration of vesicle clusters and reducing transport velocity. Additionally, it inhibits vesicle transport between osteosarcoma cells and human bronchial epithelium.