Abstract
The influence of electroporation on the Photofrin uptake and distribution was evaluated in the breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) lacking voltage-dependent channels in vitro. Photofrin was used at a concentration of 5 and 25 μM. The uptake of Photofrin was assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy methods. Cells viability was evaluated with crystal violet assay. Our results indicated that electropermeabilization of cells, in the presence of Photofrin, increased the uptake of the photosensitizer. Even at the lowest electric field intensity (700 V/cm) Photofrin transport was enhanced. Flow cytometry results for MCF-7 cells revealed ~1.7 times stronger fluorescence emission intensity for cells exposed to Photofrin and electric field of 700 V/cm than cells treated with Photofrin alone. Photofrin was effective only when irradiated with blue light. Our studies on combination of photodynamic reaction with electroporation suggested improved effectiveness of the treatment and showed intracellular distribution of Photofrin. This approach may be attractive for cancer treatment as enhanced cellular uptake of Photofrin in MCF-7 cells can help to reduce effective dose of the photosensitizer and exposure time in this type of cancer, diminishing side effects of the therapy.
Highlights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality applied in a number of cancer and noncancer diseases
The influence of electroporation on the Photofrin uptake and distribution was evaluated in the breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) lacking voltage-dependent channels in vitro
Our results indicated that electropermeabilization of cells, in the presence of Photofrin, increased the uptake of the photosensitizer
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality applied in a number of cancer and noncancer diseases. It involves administration of a photosensitive agent (called photosensitizer), which is activated with a light of a specific wavelength. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated and interact with cellular components, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. The mode of cell death depends on several factors, such as properties of a photosensitizer, cell type, drug and light dose. Selectivity of PDT is achieved by the localized delivery of light and localized accumulation of a photosensitizer (Agostinis et al 2011; Choudhary et al 2009; Stamati et al 2010; Robertson et al 2009)
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