In vitro experimental study of novel porphyrin-typed photosensitizer photodynamically treating hepatic carcinoma

Objective To study the photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by a novel porphyrin-typed photosensitizer on human hepatic carcinoma HepG2 cell and the mechanisms.Methods Experiments were derided into four groups:control group,PDT group,photosensitizer group and photosensitizer+PDT group.The photostability of novel photosensitizer upon repetitive illumination was evaluated by bleaching method,and cell survival rate was determined by MTT assay.Cellular uptake of novel photosensitizer was measured with luminescence spectrometer,and cellular localization ofphotosensitizer was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM).Furthermore,apoptotic cell was detected with Hoechst 333342 staining.Results Novel photosensitizer was stable after repetitive light irradiation,and PDT or photosensitizer alone showed no dark cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cell (P＞0.05),but intense killing was observed in photosensitizer+PDT group (P＜0.05).The IC50 is 1.21 μmol/L.Cellular uptake of novel photosensitizer was concentration-dependent and the highest uptake is at concentration of 12.5 μmol/L.Novel photosensitizer localizes in lysosomes of HepG2 cell,and the death mode of HepG2 cell was mainly apoptosis.Conclusions Novel photosensitizer exerts profound cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cell mainly through the initiation of secondary cell apoptosis by lysosome destruction. Key words: Novel photosensitizer;  HepG2 cell;  Photosensitizer uptake;  Subcellular localization;  Apoptosis