Effects of photodynamic therapy on the ultrastructure of glioma cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study the change in ultrastructure of C6 glioma cells after photodynamic therapy (PDT), to compare morphological differences in necrosis and apoptosis before and after PDT treatment, and to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy on the blood brain tumor barrier (BTB) of C6 glioma.


METHODS
The model was produced by transplanting C6 glioma cells cultured in vitro using Peterson method into the caudate nuclei of Wister rats. The experiment group received PDT for two weeks after the operation. The sub-cellular structure, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and BTB in both groups were observed under electron microscope.


RESULTS
Apoptosis in different phases and necrosis could be observed in some C6 glioma cells. Swelling occurred on the ultrastructure of cellular organs such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in most of the cells. Damage to the BTB, reduction of the number of cellular organs in endothelial cells of the capillary blood vessels, stretch of the tight junction, and enlargement of the gaps between endothelial cells were also seen in the experiment group. Meanwhile, limited impact on the normal sub-cellular structures and BBB was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT could induce apoptosis and necrosis of C6 glioma cells due to the damage to the ultrastructure of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The weakened function of C6 glioma BTB initiated by PDT makes it possible to perform a combined therapy of PDT and chemotherapy for glioma.
Hu
Shao-Shan
SS
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
Cheng
Hong-Bin
HB
Zheng
Yong-Ri
YR
Zhang
Ru-You
RY
Yue
Wu
W
Zhang
Han
H
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D051381:Rats