Increased expression of mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors following low-level light treatment facilitates enhanced protoporphyrin IX production in glioma-derived cells in vitro

Abstract

This study investigates whether low level light treatment (LLLT) can enhance the expression of Peripheral-type mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) on the glioma-derived tumour cell line, CNS-1, and by doing so promote the synthesis of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and increase the photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced cell kill using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The endogenous photosensitizer, (PpIX) and related metabolites including coproporphyrin III are known to traffic via the PBRs on the outer mitochondrial membrane on their passage into or out of the mitochondria. Astrocyte-derived cells within the brain express PBRs, while neurons express the central-type of benzodiazepine receptor. CNS-1 cells were exposed to a range of differing low-level light protocols immediately prior to PDT. LLLT involved using broad-spectrum light or monochromatic laser light specific to 635 or 905 nm wavelength. Cells (5m10 5 ) were exposed to a range of LLLT doses (0, 1 or 5 J/cm 2 ) using a fixed intensity of 10 mW/cm 2 and subsequently harvested for cell viability, immunofluorescence or western blot analysis of PBR expression. The amount of PpIX within the cells was determined using chemical extraction techniques. Results confirm the induction of PBR following LLLT is dependent on the dose and wavelength of light used. Broadspectrum light provided the greatest cell kill following PDT, although LLLT with 635 nm or 905 nm also increased cell kill as compared to PDT alone. All LLLT regimens increased PBR expression compared to controls with corresponding increases in PpIX production. These data suggest that by selectively increasing PBR expression in tumour cells, LLLT may facilitate enhanced cell kill using ALA-PDT without damaging surrounding normal brain.