Li Zhenyu, Cai Minglong, Chen Zhu
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
Immun Inflamm Dis. 2025 Aug;13(8):e70245. doi: 10.1002/iid3.70245.
Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are characterized by an aberrant immune responses that leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Traditional treatments, such as immunosuppressive drugs, only provide symptomatic relief and often cause significant side effects. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a form of nonthermal plasma, has emerged as a potential therapeutic tool, offering antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory effects.
This review aims to explore the mechanisms of CAP, its application in autoimmune diseases, and its potential to improve existing treatments.
The review synthesizes recent studies investigating the biological effects of CAP, particularly its interaction with immune cells. Key mechanisms discussed include the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), which modulate immune responses, promote wound healing, and target pathogenic cells. The therapeutic potential of CAP in treating autoimmune diseases, such as RA, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo is examined through current research findings.
Studies have demonstrated that CAP can modulate fibroblast-like synoviocytes in RA, reducing their viability and inducing apoptosis. In skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, CAP has been shown to alleviate symptoms and reduce microbial load by altering the skin microbiome. In psoriasis, CAP suppresses Th17 cell differentiation and reduces keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Additionally, CAP enhances wound healing by promoting macrophage M2 polarization and collagen remodeling. Despite promising results, concerns remain about the long-term safety of CAP, particularly regarding the accumulation of ROS/RNS.
CAP offers a novel approach for treating autoimmune diseases by modulating immune responses, enhancing drug efficacy, and promoting tissue repair. Its ability to selectively target pathogenic cells and its antimicrobial properties make it a promising therapeutic tool in autoimmune diseases.
自身免疫性疾病，包括类风湿性关节炎（RA），其特征是异常的免疫反应，导致慢性炎症和组织损伤。传统治疗方法，如免疫抑制药物，只能提供症状缓解，且往往会引起严重的副作用。冷大气等离子体（CAP）作为一种非热等离子体形式，已成为一种潜在的治疗工具，具有抗菌、抗炎和免疫调节作用。
本综述旨在探讨CAP的作用机制、其在自身免疫性疾病中的应用以及改善现有治疗方法的潜力。
本综述综合了最近研究CAP生物学效应的研究，特别是其与免疫细胞的相互作用。讨论的关键机制包括活性氧和氮物种（ROS/RNS）的产生，它们调节免疫反应、促进伤口愈合并靶向致病细胞。通过当前的研究结果，研究了CAP在治疗自身免疫性疾病，如类风湿性关节炎、特应性皮炎、过敏性接触性皮炎、银屑病和白癜风方面的治疗潜力。
研究表明，CAP可以调节类风湿性关节炎中的成纤维细胞样滑膜细胞，降低其活力并诱导细胞凋亡。在特应性皮炎等皮肤病中，CAP已被证明可通过改变皮肤微生物群来缓解症状并减少微生物负荷。在银屑病中，CAP抑制Th17细胞分化并减少角质形成细胞的过度增殖。此外，CAP通过促进巨噬细胞M2极化和胶原蛋白重塑来促进伤口愈合。尽管结果令人鼓舞，但仍有人担心CAP的长期安全性，特别是关于ROS/RNS的积累。
CAP通过调节免疫反应、提高药物疗效和促进组织修复，为治疗自身免疫性疾病提供了一种新方法。其选择性靶向致病细胞的能力及其抗菌特性使其成为自身免疫性疾病中有前景的治疗工具。
