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Relocalization of cationic porphyrins during photodynamic therapy

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Abstract

When photodynamic therapy is directed against sub-cellular sites that include mitochondria, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, lysosomes or the endoplasmic reticulum, there is generally an apoptotic response leading to cell death. We previously reported that the targeting of the plasma membrane by photosensitizing agents led to either a marked delay or inhibition of apoptosis, even if other sub-cellular sites were also targeted for photodamage. Preliminary studies indicated that this result was associated with photodamage to caspase-3, a major element of the ‘execution’ phase of apoptosis. We describe here a mechanism for apoptosis inhibition resulting from localization of photosensitizers from the membrane to the cytosol during irradiation, leading to selective photodamage of procaspases-9, and -3.

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Acknowledgements

Anne Marie Santiago and Brendan Leeson provided excellent technical assistance. This work was supported in part by grants CA23378 and 92618 from the NCI, NIH.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    David Kessel

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  1. David Kessel
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Kessel, D. Relocalization of cationic porphyrins during photodynamic therapy. Photochem Photobiol Sci 1, 837–840 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1039/b206046a

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