Characterization of plasma mediated molecular delivery to cells in vitro

Ion-based strategies have recently emerged as a method to facilitate molecular delivery. These methods are attractive as they separate the applicator from the treatment site avoiding some issues encountered with other electrically driven methods. Current literature on plasma delivery has shown utility in vitro and in vivo for both drugs and genes. To advance this technology more information must become available on the mechanism responsible for delivery and the effects of ion exposure on eukaryotic cells. This in vitro investigation found that molecular delivery facilitated by a DC-based plasma follows a dose–response behavior, with optimum uptake of Sytox Green occurring in two cell lines after 600 s of exposure. In both cell lines exposure to the discharge caused no adverse effects in viability for exposure times up to 600 s. It was also found that membranes treated with ions remained permeabilized for several minutes following plasma treatment and that membrane resealing exhibited first order kinetics.