Signaling pathways in cell death and survival after photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cytotoxic treatment, which can induce cells to initiate a rescue response, or to undergo cell death, either apoptosis or necrosis. The many signaling pathways involved in these processes are the topic of this review. The subcellular localization of the photosensitizer has been shown to be a key factor in the outcome of PDT. Mitochondrial localized photosensitizers are able to induce apoptosis very rapidly. Lysosomal localized photosensitizers can elicit either a necrotic or an apoptotic response. In the plasma membrane, a target for various photosensitizers, rescue responses, apoptosis and necrosis is initiated. Several protein phosphorylation cascades are involved in the regulation of the response to PDT. Finally, a number of stress-induced proteins play a role in the rescue response after PDT. Notably, the induction of apoptosis by PDT might not be crucial for an optimal outcome. Recent studies indicate that abrogation of the apoptotic pathway does alter the clonogenic survival of the cells after PDT. Further studies, both in vitro and especially in vivo could lead to more efficient combination therapies in which signaling pathways, involved in cell death or rescue, are either up- or downregulated before PDT.     

Novel porphyrin conjugates with a potent photodynamic antitumor effect: differential efficacy of mono- and bis-beta-cyclodextrin derivatives in vitro and in vivo

In the present study we investigated the photosensitizing properties of two novel mono- and bis-cyclodextrin tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin derivatives in several tumor cell lines and in BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted syngeneic mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1. Both studied sensitizers were localized mainly in lysosomes and were found to induce cell death by triggering apoptosis in human leukemic cells HL-60. In 4T1 and other cell lines both apoptotic and necrotic modes of cell death occurred depending on drug and light doses. Mono-cyclodextrin porphyrin derivative P(beta-CD)1 exhibited stronger in vitro phototoxic effect than bis-cyclodextrin derivative P(beta-CD)2. However, in vivo P(beta-CD)2 displayed faster tumor uptake with maximal accumulation 6 h after application, leading to complete and prolonged elimination of subcutaneous tumors within 3 days after irradiation (100 J cm(-2)). In contrast, P(beta-CD)1 uptake was slower (48 h) and the reduction of tumor mass was only transient, reaching the maximum at the 12 h interval when a favorable tumor-to-skin ratio appeared. Thus, P(beta-CD)2 represents a new photosensitizing drug displaying fast and selective tumor uptake, strong antitumor activity and fast elimination from the body.     

Novel pyrazoline and pyrazole porphyrin derivatives: synthesis and photophysical properties

2-Vinyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinatozinc(II) reacts with nitrile imines, generated in situ from ethyl hydrazono-α-bromoglyoxylates, affording the corresponding pyrazolines in good to excellent yields. Treatment of pyrazoline derivatives with DDQ affords the corresponding pyrazole derivatives with moderate to excellent yields. When the hydrolysis of ester group in the pyrazoline derivatives was considered, it was observed the concomitant oxidation of the heterocyclic unit, which allowed directly obtaining porphyrin-pyrazole derivatives with a carboxylic group, in very good yields.The photophysical properties of the pyrazoline and pyrazole porphyrin derivatives show that the influence of the heterocyclic substituents is limited by the tendency of these molecules to aggregate. All other properties and especially the triplet kinetics remain unaffected. The adducts with low tendency to aggregate showed very high singlet oxygen yield, which makes these compounds interesting for their use as photosensitizers for PDT.     

Neocuproine-extended porphyrin coordination complexes. 2. Spectroscopic properties of the metalloporphyrin derivatives and investigations into the HOMO ordering

The synthesis of a porphyrin compound, 1, containing a 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline moiety that is fused at the beta-pyrrole positions is reported. The absorption spectra of the free-base, copper(II), and zinc(II) derivatives have been studied. On the basis of absorption band intensities, the HOMO of the free base (H21) and its copper and zinc complexes (Cu1 and Zn1) was determined to be of a1u symmetry. Relative to H21, compounds Cul and Znl show enhanced spectral changes upon external metal ion binding. Although the HOMO is the same in all three compounds, the energy gap between the two highest occupied orbitals is greater for Cu1 and Zn1 than it is for the free-base compound. Several metal ions (Ni2+, Cu+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Li+) were examined in their binding to the phenanthrolinic group by measuring the resulting changes in the absorption spectra. It is shown that the observed changes in the absorption spectra are insensitive to the nature of the metal ion coordinated by the phenanthroline moiety. Significant differences in the absorption and emission spectra between Zn1 and [Zn(Zn1)2]2+ clearly demonstrate that the porphyrin pi-system is strongly affected by the binding of metal ions at the fused phenanthrolinic moiety.     

Phosphorus complexes of N-fused porphyrin and its reduced derivatives: new isomers of porphyrin stabilized via coordination

N-fused isophlorin 3 and its tautomeric phlorin forms 4 and 5, the new constitutional isomers of porphyrin which preserve the basic skeleton of their maternal N-fused porphyrin, have been identified in the course of investigation of phosphorus insertion into N-fused porphyrin 2. N-fused porphyrin reacts with PCl3 in toluene yielding phosphorus(V) N-fused isophlorin 3-P wherein the macrocycle acts as a trianionic tridentate ligand. The identical product has been formed in the reaction of N-confused porphyrin 1 and POCl3 or PCl3. The coordinating environment of phosphorus(V) in 3-P as determined by X-ray crystallography resembles a distorted trigonal pyramid with the nitrogen atoms occupying equatorial positions with the oxygen atom lying at the unique apex. Phosphorus(V) is significantly displaced by 0.732(1) A from the N3 plane. The P-N distances are as follows P-N(22) 1.664(2), P-N(23) 1.645(2), and P-N(24) 1.672(2). All P-N(pyrrolic) bond lengths are markedly shorter than the P-N distances in phosphorus porphyrins. 3-P is susceptible to proton addition at the inner C(9) carbon atom, yielding aromatic 4-P. The modified macrocycle acts as a dianionic ligand and allows the efficient 18 pi-electron delocalization pathway. Two stereoisomers affording the syn (4-P syn) and anti (4-P anti) location of the H(9) atom with respect to the oxygen atom of the PO unit have been identified by (1)H NMR. A regioselective reduction of free base N-fused porphyrin 2 with NaBH4 yielded a nonaromatic isomer of 4, that is, N-fused phlorin 5 due to an addition of a hydride to the C(15) carbon and a proton to one of the pyrrolic nitrogens. The isomer 5 reacts with PCl 3 yielding phosphorus(V) fused isophlorin 3-P. Density functional theory has been applied to model the molecular and electronic structure of porphyrin isomers 3, 4, and 5 and their phosphorus(V) complexes.     

Bystander effects in cell death induced by photodynamic treatment UVA radiation and inhibitors of ATP synthesis

Confluent layers of MDCK II cells were treated with four different photosensitizers (a purified version of hematoporphyrin derivative [Photofrin], tetra(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphine [3-THPP], meso-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphine [TPPS4] and ALA-induced Protoporphyrin IX) and irradiated with blue light, with UVA without exogenous photosensitizers, or incubated with the metabolic inhibitors carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Necrotic and apoptotic cells were detected about 4 h later by fluorescence microscopy. Dead cells appeared in distinct clusters in the confluent layers. The number of dead cells in these clusters was determined by manual counting and image analysis. Forty-one of the 43 experimental distributions of dead cells in clusters were found to be significantly different from a Monte Carlo simulation of the distribution of independently inactivated cells. However, a Monte Carlo simulation model, assuming that each dead cell increased the probability of inactivation of adjacent cells, fitted 34 of the 43 observed distributions of dead cells in clusters, indicating a significant bystander effect for all the investigated treatments. The bystander-effect model parameter, defined as a cell's increase in probability of dying when it has dead neighbors, was significantly lower for 3-THPP-PDT and TPPS4-PDT than for Photofrin-PDT, ALA-PDT and treatment with metabolic inhibitors.     

A fluorinated ruthenium porphyrin as a potential photodynamic therapy agent: synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, and melanoma cell studies

When the new porphyrin 5,10-(4-pyridyl)-15,20-(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin is reacted with 2 equiv of Ru(bipy)(2)Cl(2) (where bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) formation of the target ruthenated porphyrin is achieved with 40% yield. Strong electronic transitions are observed in the visible region of the spectrum associated with the porphyrin Soret and four Q-bands. A shoulder at slightly higher energy than the Soret band is attributed to the Ru(dpi) to bipy(pi*) metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band. The bipyridyl pi to pi* transition occurs at 295 nm. Cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal two single-electron redox couples in the cathodic region at E(1/2) = -0.80 and -1.18 V vs Ag/AgCl associated with the porphyrin. Two overlapping redox couples at E(1/2) = 0.83 V vs Ag/AgCl due to the Ru(III/II) centers is also observed. DNA titrations using calf thymus (CT) DNA and the ruthenium porphyrin give a K(b) = 7.6 x 10(5) M(-1) indicating a strong interaction between complex and DNA. When aqueous solutions of supercoiled DNA and ruthenium porphyrin are irradiated with visible light (energy lower than 400 nm), complete nicking of the DNA is observed. Cell studies show that the ruthenated porphyrin is more toxic to melanoma skin cells than to normal fibroblast cells. When irradiated with a 60 W tungsten lamp, the ruthenium porphyrin preferentially leads to apoptosis of the melanoma cells over the normal skin cells.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of new spirooxindolodibenzodiazepine derivatives

An acid-catalyzed reaction of 3-(2-aminophenylamino)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexen-1-one with isatines leads to the formation of the earlier undescribed 3,3-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,10,11-hexahydrospiro[1H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine-11,3′-2H-indole]-1,2′-dione derivatives (6). Spiranes 6 upon heating undergo auto-redox rearrangement with disintegration to 3,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenazine and the corresponding oxindole. Crystals of four derivatives of compound 6 were studied by X-ray diffraction method.     

Interaction and photodynamic activity of cationic porphyrin derivatives bearing different patterns of charge distribution with GMP and DNA

The interaction of amphiphilic cationic porphyrins, containing different patterns of meso-substitution by 4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl (A) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (B) groups, with guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP) and calf thymus DNA have been studied by optical methods in phosphate buffer solution. The properties of these synthetic porphyrins were compared with those of representative standard of anionic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS₄⁴⁻) and cationic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammonium phenyl)porphyrin (TMAP⁴⁺). Stable complexes with GMP were found for cationic porphyrins, except for monocationic AB₃⁺. The binding constant (K_GMP  10⁴ M⁻¹) follows the order: A₃B³⁺  ABAB²⁺ > A₄⁴⁺  TMAP⁴⁺. Also, interaction with DNA was observed for all evaluated cationic porphyrins. For these related cationic porphyrins, the binding constant (K_DNA  10⁵ M⁻¹) increases with the number of cationic charges. On the other hand, the photodynamic activity of porphyrins was analyzed in solution of GMP and DNA. Monocationic AB₃⁺ is a less effective sensitizer to oxidize GMP in comparison with the other cationic porphyrins, in agreement with the lack of detected interaction with this nucleotide. The electrophoretic analysis of DNA indicates that photocleavage takes place when the samples are exposed to photoexcited tricationic and tetracationic porphyrins. In the presence of sodium azide the DNA decomposition was diminished. Also, reduction in the DNA photocleavage was observed under anoxic condition, indicating that oxygen is essential for DNA photocleavage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. In addition, an increase in DNA degradation was not observed in deuteriated water. Therefore, an important contribution of type I photoreaction processes could be occurring in the DNA photodamage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. These results provide a better understanding of the characteristics needed for sensitizers to produce efficient DNA photocleavage.     

Preparation of unsymmetrical distyryl BODIPY derivatives and effects of the styryl substituents on their in vitro photodynamic properties

A series of unsymmetrical distyryl BODIPYs have been prepared which function as highly potent photosensitisers with in vitro IC(50) values as low as 15 nM. Their cellular uptake, subcellular localisation and photocytotoxicity depend greatly on the styryl substituents.     

Halogen atom effect on photophysical and photodynamic characteristics of derivatives of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin

Brominated and iodinated derivatives of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin were synthesised directly from the corresponding aldehydes. Photophysical and photochemical properties, singlet oxygen formation quantum yields, photobleaching and log P were measured. Cellular uptake measurements and cytotoxicity assays on WiDr and A375 tumour cell lines were performed. 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(2-bromo-5-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin showed the best cytotoxicity with values of IC(50) of 113 nM over WiDr cells and 52nM over A375 cells.     

Thermal and electrical properties of porphyrin derivatives and their relevance for molecule interferometry

The authors present new measurements of thermal and electrical properties for two porphyrin derivatives. They determine their sublimation enthalpy from the temperature dependence of the effusive beam intensity. The authors study H2TPP and Fe(TPP)Cl in matter-wave interferometry. Both molecules have nearly equal de Broglie wavelengths but different internal characteristics: only Fe(TPP)Cl exhibits an electric dipole moment of about 2.7 D and the authors discuss its influence on the molecular interference pattern. The authors add an external electric force field to the interferometer and use it to measure the scalar polarizability. They compare their experimental values alpha(H2TPP)=105+/-4+/-6 A3 and alpha(Fe(TPP)Cl)=102+/-9+/-6 A3 to ab initio calculations and they discuss the influence of thermal excitations on the polarizability.     

Design, synthesis, and properties of new derivatives of pentacene

Stable, soluble ethynylated derivatives of pentacene (9a-c) were synthesized, and the ethynyl moieties on the terminal rings were used to tune the electronic properties of these compounds. Their oxidation potentials are higher and their reduction potentials are lower than those of pentacene. The HOMO-LUMO gaps are among the lowest reported for pentacene derivatives.     

Synthesis and Optical Properties of HyperbranchedPAEKs Containing Porphyrin and Its Metal Derivatives简

Novel functional hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)s(HPAEKs) bonded with nonlinear optical chromophores(meso-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin, THPP and its metal derivatives) were synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The incorporation of chromophores into HPAEKs endowed HPAEKs novel NLO and OL properties. Indeed, dendritic architecture allowed for maximum dispersion of the chromophores, avoided aggregation, more optical limiting property was obtained. Simultaneously, they retained the excellent properties of the materials, particularly in thermal stability. Their optical properties were evaluated by nonlinear optical analyses and optical limiting. The results showed that these polymers possessed good optical limiting(OL) property and large nonlinear optical(NLO) susceptibilities(ca. 10 12esu). All polymers containing chromophores presented excellent thermal stability(DT5 524.17 °C).     

Preparation,spectral and thermal properties of new Isoflavone derivatives: mesomorphic properties and DFT studies

The four new homologous series of symmetric Isoflavon dimers were synthesised using varied alkyl/aryl diamines in linear sense. The chemical structures of the molecules were characterised by IR, NMR and CHNS analysis. Further, Liquid crystalline properties were verified using the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscope (POM). The molecular systems studied here reveal that LC property depends on the length of the middle connecting diamine spacer along with terminal alkyl spacer. The lower members favour to exhibit smectic A phase, whereas higher members exhibit nematic mesophase. The nature of LC property behaviours is supported by molecular geometries studied by DFT calculations.     

锌卟啉的合成及与咪唑类客体反应的光谱性质

将一对手性丙氨酸,通过烷氧基侧链与卟啉环相连,合成了一对手性卟啉5-对(L-丙氨酰氧乙氧基)苯基-10,15,20-三苯基卟啉和5-对(D-丙氨酰氧乙氧基)苯基-10,15,20-三苯基卟啉及其各自对应的锌卟啉.通过元素分析、紫外-可见光谱、1 H核磁共振和红外光谱等方法对合成的自由卟啉及锌卟啉配合物进行了结构确定.此外,采用荧光光谱滴定实验研究了金属锌卟啉与咪唑类客体进行配位反应的光谱性质,结果表明,咪唑类客体与手性锌卟啉相互作用时均具有荧光猝灭效应,金属卟啉的手性结构对该性质未造成影响.     

Chemical and photochemical electron transfer of new helianthrone derivatives: aspects of their photodynamic activity

Helianthrones 2-4 are a new class of synthetic photosensitizers, which have a molecular skeleton related to that of hypericin. We established that irradiation of heliantrones with visible light leads to the formation of semiquinone radicals and reactive oxygen species. The structures of the paramagnetic anion species produced by electron transfer were calculated on the density functional level and investigated by cyclovoltammetry, UV/vis, and EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy. As with hypericin, the pi system of the helianthrones was found to be considerably deviated from planarity, and, upon electron transfer, deprotonation in the bay region occurs. The structure of the semiquinone radicals was found to be identical in THF, DMF, and aqueous buffered solutions regardless of the means by which reduction was achieved. Semiquinone radicals can be formed via self-electron transfer between the excited state and the ground state or via electron transfer from an electron donor to the excited state of helianthrone. Therefore, the presence of an electron donor significantly enhanced the photogeneration of semiquinone and superoxide radical. The kinetic studies showed that no significant photochemical destruction of helianthrones occurred upon irradiation. Generation of superoxide and singlet oxygen upon irradiation of helianthrones was established by spin trapping techniques. This shows that both type I and type II mechanisms are of importance for the photodynamic action of these compounds.     

Metal chelates of porphyrin derivatives as sensitizers in photooxidation processes of sulfur compounds and in photodynamic therapy of cancer

A number of porphyrin derivatives based on hematoporphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetrasubstituted porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and naphthalocyanines were prepared either as low-molecular compounds or bonded with methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) or attached to silica of low surface area. The low-molecular weight and the polymer-bonded porphyrins exhibit comparable triplet lifetimes and activities in the photosensitized formation of singlet oxygen. For photoninduced processes, the monomeric state of sensitizers is fundamentally important. The porphyrins have been investigated as sensitizers for photooxidation of thiolates and sulfides, which occursvia singlet oxygen, and, therefore, is much more efficient than the corresponding catalytic dark oxidation. Polymer-bonded porphyrins and long-wavelength absorbing naphthalocyanines incorporated in liposomes exhibitin vivo high accumulation in tumor tissues. Under irradiation, singlet oxygen is produced, and efficient phototherapeutic effects are observed, which may be used for photodynamic cancer therapy.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2071–2082, December, 1994.D. Wöhrle is very thankful to G. Schulz-Ekloff (Bremen), M. Shopova (Sofia), I. Okura (Tokyo), B. Roeder (Berlin), G. Graschew (Heidelberg), and their coworkers for fruitful cooperation. The research was supported by the German Research Society (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, 436 BUL 113/51/0, Wo 237/ 12-1), the German Cancer Service (Deutsche Krebshilfe, W 15/89/Sch12), Bremen University (FSP 2/90), and the Federal Department of Scientific Research and Tech nology (Bundesministerium far Forschung und Technotogie, Bonn, 13N6290).     

氨基磺酸型卟啉及其金属配合物的合成与性质

本文合成了水溶性中位-四[邻-（3-磺酸基丙氨基）苯基]卟啉和中位-四[对-（3-磺酸基丙氨基）苯基]卟啉及相应的金属（M=Fe^2＋，Co^2＋，Ni^2＋，Cu^2＋，Zn^2＋）配合物。测定了以上卟啉衍生物在水中的溶解度随温度和pH值的变化关系、卟啉与金属的配合性能。