Protoporphyrin IX induces apoptosis in HeLa cells prior to photodynamic treatment.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combining treatment with a light-excited compound and laser light induction, via cellular ROS generation, kills cancer cells by damaging organelles and impairing metabolic pathways. As the exact mechanisms underlying cancer cell death due to PDT treatment remain controversial, the influence of photosensitizer itself, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) on cancer cells was investigated. The concentration-dependent viability of HeLa cells was estimated after PpIX-treatment. Microscopic analyses revealed that treated cells exhibited apoptosis-like morphology: blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, asymmetry of cellular membrane. These results shed a new light on cancer cell death due to PDT because they showed that PpIX can induce apoptosis without light excitation.
Bednarz
Natalia
N
Department of Biotechnology, Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, PL 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland. bednarz@biotech.ug.gda.pl
Zawacka-Pankau
Joanna
J
Kowalska
Agnieszka
A
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D002843:Chromatin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D002843:Chromatin; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C028025:protoporphyrin IX