Non-thermal plasma inhibits mast cell activation and ameliorates allergic skin inflammatory diseases in NC/Nga mice

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has many functional activities such as, sterilization, wound healing and anti-cancer activity. Despite of its wide spread biomedical application, the effect of NTP on immune cells and allergic response has not been well studied. In this study, we determined whether NTP suppresses mast cell activation, which is important for allergic response, and ameliorates an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin inflammatory disease in mice. Exposure to NTP-treated medium during mast cell activation inhibited the expression and production of IL-6, TNF-alpha and suppressed NF-kappa B activation. We also investigated whether NTP treatment ameliorates house dust mite (HDM)-induced AD-like skin inflammation in mice. NTP treatment inhibited increases in epidermal thickness and recruitment of mast cells and eosinophils, which are important cell types in AD pathogenesis. In addition, Th2 cell differentiation was induced by application of HDM and the differentiation was also inhibited in the draining lymph node of NTP-treated mice. Finally, the expression of AD-related cytokines and chemokines was also decreased in NTP-treated mice. Taken together, these results suggest that NTP might be useful in the treatment of allergic skin diseases, such as AD.