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Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin-loaded liposomes sterically stabilised with poly(ethylene glycol) of different length and density: characterisation, in vitro cellular uptake and phototoxicity

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Abstract

We studied the effects of density and thickness of PEG coating on in vitro cellular uptake, and dark- and photo-toxicity of liposomal formulations (Fospeg) of the photodynamic agent meta-tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (m-THPC). The cellular uptake of various Fospeg formulations was determined by flow cytometry in CCD-34Lu human normal fibroblasts and A549 lung cancer cells. Dark and light-induced cytotoxicity was measured by MTS assay after exposure to increasing concentrations of Fospeg only and followed by irradiation with red light. Intracellular localization of m-THPC delivered by Fospeg was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The studies were carried out in comparison with m-THPC delivered by the standard solvent. In the dark all Fospeg formulations were less cytotoxic than m-THPC in standard solvent (ethanol/poly(ethylene glycol 400/water; 20:30:50 by vol.) and cytotoxicity decreased by increasing PEGylation. m-THPC delivered as Fospeg was internalised by endocytosis and localised mainly in the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. The efficiency of cellular uptake of Fospeg was reduced by 30-40% with respect to m-THPC in standard solution causing a slight reduction of the phototoxicity but without serious impairment of the efficacy of the treatment. Our study suggests that PEGylated liposomes are promising nanocarriers for the delivery of photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy because they reduce dark cytotoxicity while preserving therapeutic efficacy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121, Padova, Italy

    Chiara Compagnin, Francesca Moret, Lucia Celotti & Elena Reddi

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121, Padova, Italy

    Giovanni Miotto

  3. National Medical Laser Centre, University College London, London, UK

    Josephine H. Woodhams & Alexander J. MacRobert

  4. Research & Development Biolitec AG, Otto-Schott-Strasse 15, 07745, Jena, Germany

    Dietrich Scheglmann & Selma Iratni

Authors
  1. Chiara Compagnin
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  2. Francesca Moret
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  3. Lucia Celotti
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  4. Giovanni Miotto
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  5. Josephine H. Woodhams
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  6. Alexander J. MacRobert
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  7. Dietrich Scheglmann
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  8. Selma Iratni
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  9. Elena Reddi
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These authors contributed equally to the study

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Compagnin, C., Moret, F., Celotti, L. et al. Meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin-loaded liposomes sterically stabilised with poly(ethylene glycol) of different length and density: characterisation, in vitro cellular uptake and phototoxicity. Photochem Photobiol Sci 10, 1751–1759 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1039/c1pp05163f

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c1pp05163f

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