Photobleaching kinetics of Verteporfin and Lemuteporfin in cells and optically trapped multilamellar vesicles using two-photon excitation

Red and blue light in antitumor photodynamic therapy with chlorin-based photosensitizers: a comparative animal study assisted by optical imaging modalities

The goal of this study is a comparative analysis of the efficiency of the PDT protocols for CT26 tumor model treatment in Balb/c mice employing red and blue light with both topical and intravenous administration of chlorin-based photosensitizers (PSs). The considered protocols include the doses of 250 J/cm² delivered at 660 nm, 200 J/cm² delivered at 405 nm, and 250 J/cm² delivered at both wavelengths with equal energy density contribution. Dual-wavelength fluorescence imaging was employed to estimate both photobleaching efficiency, typical photobleaching rates and the procedure impact depth, while optical coherence tomography with angiography modality (OCT-A) was employed to monitor the tumor vasculature response for up to 7 days after the procedure with subsequent histology inspection. Red light or dual-wavelength PDT regimes with intravenous PS injection were demonstrated to provide the most pronounced tumor response among all the considered cases. On the contrary, blue light regimes were demonstrated to be most efficient among topical application and irradiation only regimes. Tumor size dynamics for different groups is in good agreement with the tumor response predictions based on OCT-A taken in 24h after exposure and the results of histology analysis performed in 7 days after the exposure.

Characterization of Perturbing Actions by Verteporfin, a Benzoporphyrin Photosensitizer, on Membrane Ionic Currents

Verteporfin (VP), a benzoporphyrin derivative, has been clinically tailored as a photosensitizer and recently known to suppress YAP-TEAD complex accompanied by suppression of the growth in an array of neoplastic cells. However, the detailed information is little available regarding possible modifications of it and its related compounds on transmembrane ionic currents, despite its growing use in clinical settings. In this study, from whole cell recordings, VP (0.3-100 μM) increased the amplitude of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ currents (I _K(Ca)) in pituitary tumor (GH₃) cells in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC₅₀ value of 2.4 μM. VP-stimulated I _K(Ca) in these cells was suppressed by further addition of either paxilline, iberiotoxin, or dithiothreitol, but not by that of tobultamide or TRAM-39. VP at a concentration of 10 μM mildly suppressed the amplitude of delayed-rectifier K⁺ current; however, it had minimal effects on M-type K⁺ current. In cell-attached current recordings, addition of VP to the recording medium enhanced the activity of large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channels. In the presence of VP, additional illumination with light intensity of 5.5 mW/cm² raised the probability of BK_Ca-channel openings further. Addition of VP decreased the peak amplitude of L-type Ca²⁺ current together with slowed inactivation time course of the current; however, it failed to modify voltage-gated Na⁺ current. Illumination of GH₃ cells in continued presence of VP also induced a non-selective cation current. Additionally, VP increased the activity of BK_Ca channels in human 13-06-MG glioma cells with an EC₅₀ value of 1.9 μM. Therefore, the effects of VP on ionic currents described herein tend to be upstream of its inhibition of YAP-TEAD complex and they are conceivably likely to contribute to the underlying mechanisms through which it and its structurally similar compounds effect the modifications in functional activities of pituitary or glial neoplastic cells, if the in vivo findings occur.

Improving the Sensitivity of Fluorescence-Based Immunoassays by Photobleaching the Autofluorescence of Magnetic Beads

In fluorescence-based assays, usually a target molecule is captured using a probe conjugated to a capture surface, and then detected using a second fluorescently labeled probe. One of the most common capture surfaces is a magnetic bead. However, magnetic beads exhibit strong autofluorescence, which often overlaps with the emission of the reporter fluorescent dyes and limits the analytical performance of the assay. Here, several widely used magnetic beads are photobleached and their autofluorescence is reduced to 1% of the initial value. Their autofluorescence properties, including their photobleaching decay rates and autofluorescence spectra pre- and post-photobleaching, and the stability of the photobleaching over a period of two months are analyzed. The photobleached beads are stable over time and their surface functionality is retained. In a high-sensitivity LX-200 system using photobleached magnetic beads, human interleukin-8 is detected with a threefold improvement in detection limit and signal-to-noise ratio over results achievable with nonbleached beads. Since many contemporary immunoassays rely on magnetic beads as capture surfaces, prebleaching the beads may significantly improve the analytical performance of these assays. Moreover, nonmagnetic beads with low autofluorescence are also successfully photobleached, suggesting that photobleaching can be applied to various capture surfaces used in fluorescence-based assays.

Understanding and improving assays for cytotoxicity of nanoparticles: what really matters?

Despite years of excellent individual studies, the impact of nanoparticle (NP) cytotoxicity studies remains limited by inconsistent data collection and analysis. It is often unclear how exposure conditions can be used to determine cytotoxicity quantitatively. Discrepancies due to using different measurement conditions, readouts and controls to characterize NP interactions with cells lead to further challenges. To examine which parameters are critical in NP cytotoxicity studies, we have chosen to examine two NP types (liposomes and quantum dots) at different concentrations incubated with two primary vascular endothelial cells, HUVEC and HMVEC-C for a standard time of 24 h. We paid close attention to the effects of positive controls and cell association on interpretation of cytotoxicity data. Various cellular responses (ATP content, oxidative stress, mitochondrial toxicity, and phospholipidosis) were measured in parallel. Interestingly, cell association data varied significantly with the different image analyses. However, cytotoxicity responses could all be correlated with exposure concentration. Cell type did have an effect on cytotoxicity reports. Most significantly, NP cytotoxicity results varied with the inclusion or exclusion of positive controls. In the absence of positive controls, one tends to emphasize small changes in cell responses to NPs.

Surface-grafted polyethylene glycol conformation impacts the transport of PEG-functionalized liposomes through a tumour extracellular matrix model

The effect of surface PEGylation on nanoparticle transport through an extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important determinant for tumor targeting success. Fluorescent stealth liposomes (base lipid DOPC) were prepared incorporating different proportions of PEG-grafted lipids (2.5, 5 and 10% of the total lipid content) for a series of PEG molecular weights (1000, 2000 and 5000 Da). The ECM was modelled using a collagen matrix. The kinetics of PEGylated liposome adhesion to and transport in collagen matrices were tracked using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and confocal microscopy, respectively. Generalized least square regressions were used to determine the temporal correlations between PEG molecular weight, surface density and conformation, and the liposome transport in a collagen hydrogel over 15 hours. PEG conformation determined the interaction of liposomes with the collagen hydrogel and their transport behaviour. Interestingly, liposomes with mushroom PEG conformation accumulated on the interface of the collagen hydrogel, creating a dense liposomal front with short diffusion distances into the hydrogels. On the other hand, liposomes with dense brush PEG conformation interacted to a lesser extent with the collagen hydrogel and diffused to longer distances. In conclusion, a better understanding of PEG surface coating as a modifier of transport in a model ECM matrix has resulted. This knowledge will improve design of future liposomal drug carrier systems.

The effect of surface PEGylation on nanoparticle transport through an extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important determinant for tumor targeting success.

Block copolymer nanoassemblies for photodynamic therapy and diagnosis

Light can be a powerful therapeutic and diagnostic tool. Light-sensitive molecules can be used to develop locally targeted cancer therapeutics. This approach is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Similarly, it is possible to diagnose diseases and track the course of treatment in vivo using ligh-sensitive molecules. This methodology is referred to as photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). Despite the potential, many PDT and PDD agents have imperfect physiochemical properties for their successful clinical application. Nanotechnology may solve these issues by improving the viability of PDT and PDD. This review summarizes the current state of PDT and PDD development, the integration of nanotechnology in the field, and the prospective future applications, demonstrating the potential of PDT and PDD for improved cancer treatment and diagnosis.