Photodynamic alterations of the cell envelope of Proteus mirabilis and their repair

Methylene blue derivatives--suitable photoantimicrobials for blood product disinfection?

Photodynamic antimicrobial agents based on the well-established phenothiazinium biological stain methylene blue offer a simple method for the inactivation or destruction of pathogens contained in donated blood and blood products. The technique is currently concentrated on viruses and the disinfective procedure can be carried out in blood bags using basic low-power light sources. Pathogens of the bacterial, yeast and protozoal classes are also susceptible to phenothiaziniums. The photoantimicrobial mode of action is usually via oxidative damage to cellular components, either due to redox reactions between the agent and a biomolecular target or by the action of reactive oxygen species generated in situ by photodynamic action. The targeting of various microbial species is discussed in relation to the physicochemical make-up of the photosensitizers, and future directions are suggested.

Photochemical interactions of methylene blue and analogues with DNA and other biological substrates

The light-induced reactions of methylene blue and related phenothiazinium dyes with biological substrates are described. The properties of the excited states of the dyes, their reactions with nucleic acids and their photosensitised chemical modifications of nucleic acid bases are examined. Reports on phenothiazinium dye-induced damage to proteins, lipids, biological membranes, organelles, viruses, bacteria, mammalian cells and carcinomas are reviewed.

Microbiological implications of electric field effects. II. Inactivation of yeast cells and repair of their cell envelope

The inactivation of yeast cells in different growth phases by an electric field pulse was investigated. Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the logarithmic growth phase were found to be much more sensitive with respect to an electric discharge than those in the stationary phase. The influence of the electric field pulse characteristics on the inactivation as well as possible secondary effects were studied. The polyene antibiotic perhydrohexafungin (PHF) is used as a tool to sense defects in the yeast cell envelope brought about by electric field action. The repair kinetics of these defects was followed after the impulse. At least two repair stages can be distinguished, a fast one in the second range and a slower one which takes place after plating the cells on a nutrient medium. The obtained results are discussed in connection with current theories of reversible dielectric breakdown in biological membrane systems.

Photochemical damage to skin fibroblasts caused by protoporphyrin and violet light

Foreskin fibroblasts cultured in a medium containing protoporphyrin and exposed to violet light lose the capacity to proliferate. This phenomenon can be assessed on the basis of the ability of the irradiated cells to form colonies. Potentially lethal injuries can, however, be repaired during postirradiation incubation under optimal growth conditions. We investigated the photodynamically induced transformations of certain molecular targets in the irradiated cells. Biochemical analysis showed that only traces of unsaturated fatty acids were oxidized, but SH groups of both the membranes and the cytosol appeared to be very sensitive targets. Of the tryptophan content, 20% was damaged during irradiation. Recovery was observed during post-irradiation incubation. The tryptophan content and the SH groups recovered to some extent, and these results showed a good correlation with the regeneration of surviving cells.

Kinetics of accumulation of a photodynamically induced cell-surface polypeptide in a species of Arthrobacter

Cells of a species of Arthrobacter were incubated in the light with methylene blue, a dye that sensitizes photooxidative reactions by the production of singlet oxygen. An early and major response by the cells to these conditions was stimulation of synthesis of a single cell-surface polypeptide, 21,000 daltons in mass. The rate of synthesis of this polypeptide reached a maximal level about 30 min after the start of illumination. As a consequence, the amount of this polypeptide increased at least 10-fold during a period of 5 h. The presence of histidine or methionine, scavengers of singlet oxygen, markedly diminished synthesis and accumulation of this polypeptide. Concomitant with the accumulation of this polypeptide on the cell surface was the appearance of an extensive array of pili.

In vitro studies on the protoporphyrin uptake and photosensitivity of normal skin fibroblasts and fibroblasts from patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria

Fibroblasts derived from patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) are not sensitive to violet light and do not contain an excess of protoporphyrin (PP). Fibroblasts from both normal individuals and patients with EPP can take up very low concentrations of PP from culture medium. Cells grown in PP-containing medium showed a gradually increasing but limited uptake of PP and also an increased sensitivity to light. A sensitive scanning microfluorometric method has made it possible to demonstrate that the PP is mainly localized in the perinuclear granules. After exposure to violet light, cells photosensitized by PP in a culture medium showed increased membrane permeability as well as reduced reproductive capacity. Both of these photodamage effects can be repaired during postirradiation incubation in culture medium at 37 degrees C.