Photofrin ®, but not benzoporphyrin derivative, stimulates hematopoiesis in the mouse

Abstract

This report describes the effects of the porphyrin photosensitizers, Photofrin ® and benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) on the immunohematopoietic system of normal and immunosuppressed DBA/2 mice in the absence of activating light. Photofrin ® (10 and 25 mg/kg) significantly increased in vitro colony formation by cells of the granulocyte-macrophage lineage in the spleen and bone marrow. Splenic hypercellularity, splenomegaly and elevated levels of blood leukocytes were observed in these mice 7 days following Photofrin ® injection. Evidence that Photofrin ® influenced the lymphohematopoietic compartment was suggested by a significant increase in blood lymphocytes and a population of spleen cells identified by a monoclonal antibody (LR-1) reactive with mouse splenic B lymphocytes. Proliferative reponses of spleen cells from Photofrin ®-treated mice to sub-optimal concentrations of Con A were greater than that observed for controls. However, spleen cell responses to LPS were unaltered by Photofrin ® administration. In contrast, BPD (10 mg/kg) did not alter any of the immunohematopoietic parameters studied. When Photofrin ® was administered to mice treated with the myeloablative agent 5-FU there was a significant acceleration in the recovery of total blood leukocyte and spleen cell numbers, relative to the controls. These studies demonstrate that, in addition to its previously documented activities as a photosensitizer, Photofrin ® can exert stimulatory effects upon murine hematopoiesis.