Numerical modeling of how plasma interferes with cell fate

Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) have been widely applied in the field of biomedicine, where specific CAP effects on cells and biomolecules via various pathways have been extensively investigated. A number of experimental works have suggested that the CAP-induced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) affects cell fate (cell survival/death) [1]. Computational approach is useful to gain new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of CAP interactions with biomolecules. The author has developed a 0D intracellular biochemical reaction model quantifying the influence of RONS on the mitochondrial redox-mediated functions and energy metabolism [2]. For further understanding of how CAPs exert the biological effects, the present work examines the induction of cell death (apoptosis / necrosis) by CAP-induced stress. The model includes activation of death-receptors, mitochondrial signaling cascade pathways, initiator- and executor-caspases and regulators. The effects of CAP irradiation can be modeled as extrinsic or intrinsic stress. [1] K. Iuchi, et al, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 654, 136 (2018). [2] T. Murakami, Scientific Reports, 9, 17138 (2019).