Subcellular Localization of Photosensitizing Agents Introduction

Crossing the First Threshold: New Insights into the Influence of the Chemical Structure of Anionic Porphyrins on Plant Cell Wall Interactions and Photodynamic Cell Death Induction

In this study, our fundamental research interest was to understand how negatively charged porphyrins could interact with a plant cell wall and further act inside cells. Thus, three anionic porphyrins differing in their anionic external groups (carboxylates, sulfonates, and phosphonates) were tested. First, the tobacco cell wall was isolated to monitor in vitro its interactions with the three different anionic porphyrins. Unexpectedly, these negatively charged molecules were able to bind to the negatively charged cell wall probably by weak bonds such as hydrogen bonds and/or electrostatic interactions when the tetrapyrrolic core was protonated. Moreover, we showed that at the pH of spent culture medium (4.5), the neutrality of the carboxylated porphyrin (TPPC) facilitated its cell wall crossing while the diffusion of the two other sulfonated (TPPS) or phosphonated (TPPP) porphyrins that remained anionic was delayed. Once inside Tobacco Bright Yellow-2 (TBY-2) cells, TPPC induced higher levels of production of both H2O2 and malondialdehyde compared to TPPS after illumination. That result correlated well with strong cell death induction by photoactivated TPPC. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes such as catalase, peroxidases, and superoxide dismutase were also strongly downmodulated in response to TPPC, while these enzymes were almost unchanged in response to photoactivated TPPS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that took into account the whole story from interactions of porphyrins with a plant cell wall to their photodynamic activity inside the cells.

Photodynamic Physiology-Photonanomanipulations in Cellular Physiology with Protein Photosensitizers

Singlet oxygen generated in a type II photodynamic action, due to its limited lifetime (1 μs) and reactive distance (<10 nm), could regulate live cell function nanoscopically. The genetically-encoded protein photosensitizers (engineered fluorescent proteins such as KillerRed, TagRFP, and flavin-binding proteins such as miniSOG, Pp2FbFP^L30M) could be expressed in a cell type- and/or subcellular organelle-specific manner for targeted protein photo-oxidative activation/desensitization. The newly emerged active illumination technique provides an additional level of specificity. Typical examples of photodynamic activation include permanent activation of G protein-coupled receptor CCK1 and photodynamic activation of ionic channel TRPA1. Protein photosensitizers have been used to photodynamically modulate major cellular functions (such as neurotransmitter release and gene transcription) and animal behavior. Protein photosensitizers are increasingly used in photon-driven nanomanipulation in cell physiology research.

Research advances in the use of tetrapyrrolic photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising new treatment modality for several diseases, most notably cancer. In PDT, light, O2, and a photosensitizing drug are combined to produce a selective therapeutic effect. Lately, there has been active research on new photosensitizer candidates, because the most commonly used porphyrin photosensitizers are far from ideal with respect to PDT. Finding a suitable photosensitizer is crucial in improving the efficacy of PDT. Recent synthetic activity has created such a great number of potential photosensitizers for PDT that it is difficult to decide which ones are suitable for which pathological conditions, such as various cancer species. To facilitate the choice of photosensitizer, this review presents a thorough survey of the photophysical and chemical properties of the developed tetrapyrrolic photosensitizers. Special attention is paid to the singlet-oxygen yield (PhiDelta) of each photosensitizer, because it is one of the most important photodynamic parameters in PDT. Also, in the survey, emphasis is placed on those photosensitizers that can easily be prepared by partial syntheses starting from the abundant natural precursors, protoheme and the chlorophylls. Such emphasis is justified by economical and environmental reasons. Several of the most promising photosensitizer candidates are chlorins or bacteriochlorins. Consequently, chlorophyll-related chlorins, whose PhiDelta have been determined, are discussed in detail as potential photosensitizers for PDT. Finally, PDT is briefly discussed as a treatment modality, including its clinical aspects, light sources, targeting of the photosensitizer, and opportunities.

Cellular uptake, subcellular localization and photodamaging effect of temoporfin (mTHPC) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells: comparison with hematoporphyrin derivative

Temoporfin (meta-tetra (hydroxyphenyl)chlorin; mTHPC) potentiated a 100-fold higher cytotoxic effect than hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) on two nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines (HK1 and CNE2) in terms of the overall photodynamic therapy (PDT) dose. The cellular uptake, evaluated by flow cytometry and spectrophotometry demonstrated that mTHPC exhibited higher uptake ability than HPD. Confocal laser scanning microscopy detection for both the sensitizer and mitochondria probe on the same cell images revealed that both drugs accumulated diffusely in the cytoplasm and that mitochrondria is a target organelle. Photo-activation ruptured the mitochrondria, with more pronounced mitochondrial damage being observed in mTHPC-PDT course. This correlated well with the cell photokilling efficiency of mTHPC.

Photodynamic effects induced by meso-tetrakis[4-(carboxymethyleneoxy)phenyl] porphyrin on isolated Sarcoma 180 ascites mitochondria

Using mitochondria isolated from Sarcoma 180 ascites tumour in Swiss mice as a model system, we have evaluated the ability of a novel porphyrin, meso-tetrakis[4-(carboxymethyleneoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (H2T4CPP), to induce damage on photosensitization. Oxidative damage to mitochondria, one of the primary and crucial targets of the photodynamic effect, is assessed by measuring products of lipid peroxidation such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), besides the loss of activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Analysis of product formation, the effect of deuteration and selective inhibition by scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) show that the damage observed is due mainly to singlet oxygen (1O2) and to a minor extent to hydroxyl radicals (.OH). The 1O2 generation and triplet lifetime of this porphyrin have also been estimated. Fluorescence spectroscopy, used to ascertain the binding of this porphyrin to the mitochondrial proteins, shows a rapid association within 0-2 h and a decline thereafter. Confocal microscopy reveals intracellular localisation of this porphyrin in cells in vitro. Our overall results suggest that the porphyrin H2T4CPP, due to its ability to bind to mitochondrial protein components and to generate ROS upon photoexcitation, may have potential applications in photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic effects of hypocrellin A on three human malignant cell lines by inducing apoptotic cell death

Hypocrellin A (HA), a lipid-soluble peryloquinone derivative extracted from the fungus Hypocrella bambusae, has been proved to be effective in treating many diseases. In this study, we have examined the photodynamic effects of HA on three different human malignant epithelioid cell lines, i.e., HIC, MGC-803 and HeLa cells. They all respond to photodynamic therapy (PDT) by committing apoptosis or necrosis evidenced by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and a decrease of mitochondria dehydrogenase activity. The sensitivity order of the three cell lines to cytotoxicity by HA is HIC > MGC-803 > HeLa. The extent of apoptosis is also dependent on light dose, post-treatment time and cell type. Vitamin E can significantly protect cells against cell death, indicating that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in apoptotic or necrotic cell death. These results may be to some extent instructive for clinical cancer treatment.