Cellular Uptake and Photodynamic Activity of Protein Nanocages Containing Methylene Blue Photosensitizing Drug

This study reports that photosensitizers encapsulated in supramolecular protein cages can be internalized by tumor cells and can deliver singlet oxygen intracellularly for photodynamic therapy (PDT). As an alternative to other polymeric and/or inorganic nanocarriers and nanoconjugates, which may also deliver photosensitizers to the inside of the target cells, protein nanocages provide a unique vehicle of biological origin for the intracellular delivery of photosensitizing molecules for PDT by protecting the photosensitizers from reactive biomolecules in the cell membranes, and yet providing a coherent, critical mass of destructive power (by way of singlet oxygen) upon specific light irradiation for photodynamic therapy of tumor cells. As a model, we demonstrated the successful encapsulation of methylene blue (MB) in apoferritin via a dissociation–reassembly process controlled by pH. The resulting MB-containing apoferritin nanocages show a positive effect on singlet oxygen production, and cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells when irradiated at the appropriate wavelength (i.e. 633 nm).     

Synthesis of Cyclic and Acyclic ortho-Aryloxy Diaryliodonium Salts for Chemoselective Functionalizations

Two regioselective, high-yielding one-pot routes to oxygen-bridged cyclic diaryliodonium salts and ortho-aryloxy-substituted acyclic diaryliodonium salts are presented. Starting from easily available ortho-iodo diaryl ethers, complete selectivity in formation of either the cyclic or acyclic product could be achieved by varying the reaction conditions. The complimentary reactivities of these novel ortho-oxygenated iodonium salts were demonstrated through a series of chemoselective arylations under metal-catalyzed and metal-free conditions, to deliver a range of novel, ortho-functionalized diaryl ether derivatives.     

Localized In Vivo Activation of a Photoactivatable Doxorubicin Prodrug in Deep Tumor Tissue

Sparing sensitive healthy tissue from chemotherapy exposure is a critical challenge in the treatment of cancer. The work described here demonstrates the localized in vivo photoactivation of a new chemotherapy prodrug of doxorubicin (DOX). The DOX prodrug (DOX‐PCB) was 200 times less toxic than DOX and was designed to release pure DOX when exposed to 365 nm light. This wavelength was chosen because it had good tissue penetration through a 1 cm diameter tumor, but had very low skin penetration, due to melanin absorption, preventing uncontrolled activation from outside sources. The light was delivered specifically to the tumor tissue using a specialized fiber‐optic LED system. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that DOX‐PCB had an α circulation half‐life of 10 min which was comparable to that of DOX at 20 min. DOX‐PCB demonstrated resistance to metabolic cleavage ensuring that exposure to 365 nm light was the main mode of in vivo activation. Tissue extractions from tumors exposed to 365 nm light in vivo showed the presence of DOX‐PCB as well as activated DOX. The exposed tumors had six times more DOX concentration than nearby unexposed control tumors. This in vivo proof of concept demonstrates the first preferential activation of a photocleavable prodrug in deep tumor tissue.     

Photoreaktionen von Iminiumsalzen mit Methanol und mit Formamid

By irradiation in methanol at ～250 nm of iminium salts, e.g. cyclohexylidene-pyrrolidinium perchlorate ( 1 ), in the absence of oxygen and in the presence of benzophenone as sensitizer, good yields of methanol addition products to the C,N-double bond (e.g. 8 ) could be obtained. These can be classed as β-amino-alcohol derivatives.     

Visible-Light-Mediated Aerobic Tandem Dehydrogenative Povarov/Aromatization Reaction: Synthesis of Isocryptolepines

A metal-free, photoinduced aerobic tandem amine dehydrogenation/Povarov cyclization/aromatization reaction between N-aryl glycine esters and indoles leads to tetracyclic 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolines under mild conditions and with high yields. The reaction can be performed by using molecular iodine along with visible light, or by combining an organic photoredox catalyst with a halide anion. Mechanistic studies reveal that product formation occurs through a combination of radical-mediated oxidation steps with an iminium ion or N-haloiminium ion [4+2]-cycloaddition, and the N-heterocyclic products constitute new analogues of the antiplasmodial natural alkaloid isocryptolepine.     

Panchromatic Osmium Complexes for Photodynamic Therapy: Solutions to Existing Problems and New Questions

This article is a highlight of the paper by Lazic et al. in this issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology, https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12767 . It describes the validation of osmium coordination complexes as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, with very promising in vivo results that demonstrate radical improvements in survival following irradiation with visible (635 nm) or near‐IR (NIR; 808 nm) light. An unusual feature in the study is that the different complexes exhibit disparate photophysical and photobiological characteristics, despite sharing common structural motifs. These findings raise hopes for the development of novel photosensitizers that overcome the limitations of current commercially available systems for PDT, but also raise questions regarding the most efficacious biological mechanisms of action for this treatment modality.     

Novel Osmium‐based Coordination Complexes as Photosensitizers for Panchromatic Photodynamic Therapy

Cancer remains a major global malaise requiring the advent of new, efficient and low‐cost treatments. Photodynamic therapy, which combines a photosensitizer and photons to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, has been established as an effective cancer treatment but has yet to become mainstream. One of the main limitations has been the paucity of photosensitizers that are effective over a wide range of wavelengths, can exert their cytotoxic effects in hypoxia, are easily synthesized and produce few if any side effects. To address these shortfalls, three new osmium‐based photosensitizers (TLD1822, TLD1824 and TLD1829) were synthesized and their photophysical and photobiological attributes determined. These photosensitizers are panchromatic (i.e. black absorbers), activatable from 200 to 900 nm and have strong resistance to photobleaching. In vitro studies show photodynamic therapy efficacy with both red and near‐infrared light in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, which translated to good in vivo efficacy of TLD1829 in a subcutaneous murine colon cancer model.     

Synthesis of 3-Arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under Visible-Light Irradiation with Oxygen-Doped Carbon Nitride as Heterogenous Photocatalyst

A novel oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride (OCN) material was designed and synthesized via the hydrothermal-calcination method with melamine and hydroperoxide as starting materials. The OCN material was utilized as a highly efficient solid metal-free photocatalyst for the synthesis of 3-arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via the catalytic decomposition of aryl diazonium salts under blue light irradiation. Following this approach, various 3-arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives could be obtained in moderate to excellent yields with broad substrate scope under mild conditions. Also, the OCN solid photocatalyst shows good recyclability in the reaction, there was no appreciable loss in yields observed even after 5 cycles. This methodology offers a practical, mild, and metal-free alternative to the preparation of 3-arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.     

Synthesis, Properties and In Vitro Photodynamic Activity of Water-soluble Azaphthalocyanines and Azanaphthalocyanines

In this work zinc azaphthalocyanines (AzaPcs) from the group of tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines and zinc azanaphthalocyanines from the group of tetra[6,7]quinoxalinoporphyrazines (TQP) with eight diethylaminoethylsulfanyl substituents were synthesized. Tertiary amines were later quaternized with ethyl iodide to obtain water-soluble photosensitizers (PSs). Quaternized compounds showed high singlet oxygen quantum yields as determined in DMF by monitoring decomposition of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. In water medium, quaternized AzaPc derivatives appeared in monomeric form in a wide range of concentrations while quaternized TQP derivatives showed aggregation at higher concentrations (over 1 μ m ). Photodynamic activity was tested on Hep2 cells using light of λ  > 640 nm. Both quaternized dyes showed high photodynamic activity (IC₅₀ = 104 and 220 n m for AzaPc and TQP, respectively). Dark toxicity was not detected even at the highest concentration used in in vitro tests (200 μ m ) which indicates a promising therapeutic index of these new substances. Tested compounds localized inside the cells mainly within the lysosomes thus suggesting an endocytic mechanism of cellular uptake. No localization within mitochondria was detected. A great advantage of TQP derivatives over other PSs is their very strong absorption at 747 nm that allows activation at wavelengths penetrating deeper into human tissues.     

Alkyl Ether Analogs of Chlorophyll-a Derivatives: Part 1. Synthesis, Photophysical Properties and Photodynamic Efficacy

The synthesis, preliminary in vivo biological activity, singlet oxygen and fluorescence yields of a series of alkyl ether derivatives of chlorophyll-a analogs are described. For short-chain carbon ethers (1–7carbon units), it was observed that the biological activity increased by increasing the length of the carbon chain, being maximum in compounds with n-hexyl and n-heptyl chains. Related sensitizers prepared by reacting 2-(1-bromoethyl)-2-devinylpyropheophorbide-a with (sec)alcohols were found to be less effective. Under similar treatment conditions, photosensitizers containing cis- and trans- 3-hexenyl side chains were ineffective. Thus, both stereochemical and steric factors caused differences in sensitizing activity. In general, pyropheophorbide-a analogs were found to be more active than related chlorin e₆ derivatives, in which the isocyclic ring (ring “E”) was cleaved. Related photosensitizers in the 9-deoxy- series were found to be as effective as the corresponding pyropheophorbide-a analogs. The photosensitizers prepared from pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester and chlorin e₆ trimethyl ester have long wavelength absorption at 660 nm (ε 45000 to 50000). Reduction of the carbonyl group in the pyropheophorbide-a to methylene (ring E) resulted in a blue shift to 648 nm (ε 38000).     

Basicity‐dependent properties of anion conducting membranes consisting of iminium cations for alkaline fuel cells

To design novel anion‐conducting polymer electrolyte membranes (AEMs), this paper proposes a basicity index (BI) that is defined by the ion‐exchange ratios of AEMs from the OH^? to Cl^? forms in a neutral aqueous solution as a parameter for Arrhenius basicity (dissociation constant). Using a radiation‐induced graft polymerization technique, three iminium cations are introduced into fluorinated polymer films. The BI of the iminium‐containing AEMs is less than that of a conventional ammonium‐type AEM. The conductivity and water uptake correlate positively with the BI, whereas the thermal and chemical stabilities correlate negatively with the BI. The dependence on the BI stems from the stabilization of the iminium hydroxide in proportion to the basicity of the original diaza‐compounds, resulting in a decrease in conductivity and water uptake with keeping higher thermal and chemical stabilities. Notably, ion conductivity is sufficient and water uptake is less in AEMs with a medium BI. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 503–510     

In viva PHOTODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF PHTHALOCYANINES IN A SKIN-FOLD OBSERVATION CHAMBER MODEL: ROLE OF CENTRAL METAL ION AND DEGREE OF SULFONATION

Six sulfonated metallophthalocyanines, chelated with either aluminum or zinc and sulfonated to different degrees, were studied in vivo for their photodynamic activity in a rat skin-fold chamber model. The chamber, located on the back of female WAG/Rij rats, contained a syngeneic mammary carcinoma implanted into a layer of subcutaneous tissue. Twenty-four hours after intravenous administration of 2.5 μmol/kg of one of the dyes, the chambers received a treatment light dose of 600 J/cm² with monochromatic light of 675 nm at a power density of 100 mW/ cm². During light delivery and up to a period of 7 days after treatment, vascular effects of tumor and normal tissue were scored. Tumor cell viability was determined by histology and by reimplantation of the chamber contents into the skin of the same animal, either 2 h after treatment or after the 7 day observation period. Vascular effects of both tumor and subcutaneous tissue were strongest with dyes with the lowest degree of sulfonation and decreased with increasing degree of sulfonation. Tumor regrowth did not occur with aluminum phthalocyanine mono- and disulfonate and with zinc phthalocyanine monosulfonate. With the protocol that was used, complete necrosis without recovery was only observed when reimplantation took place at the end of the 7 day follow-up period. Reimplantation 2 h after treatment always resulted in tumor regrowth. At this interval, the presence of viable tumor cells was confirmed histologically. In general tumor tissue vasculature was more susceptible to photodynamic damage than vasculature of the normal tissue. The effect on the circulation of both tumor and normal tissue increased with decreasing degree of sulfonation. Based on this study, the photodynamic effects using the six sulfonated metallophthalocyanines on the vasculature can be ranked from high to low as: AlPcS₂= ZnPcS₁ > AIPcS₁ > AIPcS₄ > ZnPcS₂ > ZnPcS₄.     

Photoinactivation Sensitivity of Staphylococcus carnosus to Visible-light Irradiation as a Function of Wavelength

Inactivation properties of visible light are of increasing interest due to multiple possible fields of application concerning antibacterial treatment. For violet wavelengths, the generation of reactive oxygen species by porphyrins is accepted as underlying mechanism. However, there is still little knowledge about photosensitizers at blue wavelengths. While flavins were named as possible candidates, there is still no experimental evidence. This study investigates the photoinactivation sensitivity of Staphylococcus carnosus to selected wavelengths between 390 and 500 nm in 10- to 25-nm intervals. Absorption and fluorescence measurements in bacterial lysates confirmed inactivation findings. By means of a mathematical calculation in MATLAB^®, a fit of different photosensitizer absorption spectra to the measured action spectrum was determined to gain knowledge about the extent to which specific photosensitizers are involved. The most effective wavelength for S. carnosus at 415 nm could be explained by the involvement of zinc protoporphyrin IX. Between 450 and 470 nm, inactivation results indicated a broad plateau, statistically distinguishable from 440 and 480 nm. This observation points to flavins as responsible photosensitizers, which furthermore seem to be involved at violet wavelengths. A spectral scan of sensitivities might generally be an advantageous approach for examining irradiation impact.     

Structures of the Reactive Intermediates in Organocatalysis with Diarylprolinol Ethers

Structures of the reactive intermediates (enamines and iminium ions) of organocatalysis with diarylprolinol derivatives have been determined. To this end, diarylprolinol methyl and silyl ethers, 1 , and aldehydes, Ph? CH₂? CHO, ^tBu? CH₂? CHO, Ph? CH=CH? CHO, are condensed to the corresponding enamines, A and 3 (Scheme 2), and cinnamoylidene iminium salts, B and 4 (Scheme 3). These are isolated and fully characterized by melting/decomposition points, [α]_D, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HR‐MS). Salts with BF₄, PF₆, SbF₆, and the weakly coordinating Al[OC(CF₃)₃]₄ anion were prepared. X‐Ray crystal structures of an enamine and of six iminium salts have been obtained and are described herein (Figs. 2 and 4–8, and Tables 2 and 7) and in a previous preliminary communication (Helv. Chim. Acta 2008 , 91, 1999). According to the NMR spectra (in CDCl₃, (D₆)DMSO, (D₆)acetone, or CD₃OD; Table 1), the major isomers 4 of the iminium salts have (E)‐configuration of the exocyclic N?C(1′) bond, but there are up to 11% of the (Z)‐isomer present in these solutions (Fig. 1). In all crystal structures, the iminium ions have (E)‐configuration, and the conformation around the exocyclic N‐C? C‐O bond is synclinal‐exo (cf. C and L ), with one of the phenyl groups over the pyrrolidine ring, and the RO group over the π‐system. One of the meta‐substituents (Me in 4b , CF₃ in 4c and 4e ) on a 3,5‐disubstituted phenyl group is also located in the space above the π‐system. DFT Calculations at various levels of theory (Tables 3–6) confirm that the experimentally determined structures (cf. Fig. 10) are by far (up to 8.3 kcal/mol) the most stable ones. Implications of the results with respect to the mechanism of organocatalysis by diarylprolinol derivatives are discussed.     

Self-Amplified Photodynamic Therapy through the 1O2-Mediated Internalization of Photosensitizers from a Ppa-Bearing Block Copolymer

Nanocarriers are employed to deliver photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) through the enhanced penetration and retention effect, but disadvantages including the premature leakage and non-selective release of photosensitizers still exist. Herein, we report a ¹O₂-responsive block copolymer (POEGMA-b-P(MAA-co-VSPpaMA) to enhance PDT via the controllable release of photosensitizers. Once nanoparticles formed by the block copolymer have accumulated in a tumor and have been taken up by cancer cells, pyropheophorbide a (Ppa) could be controllably released by singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generated by light irradiation, enhancing the photosensitization. This was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and in vivo fluorescence imaging. The ¹O₂-responsiveness of POEGMA-b-P(MAA-co-VSPpaMA) block copolymer enabled the realization of self-amplified photodynamic therapy by the regulation of Ppa release using NIR illumination. This may provide a new insight into the design of precise PDT.     

Three‐Component Reaction of Isocyanides and 2‐Formylbenzoic Acid with Dibenzylamine Catalyzed by Silica Nanoparticles under Solvent‐Free Conditions

Reaction of an isocyanide with an iminium ion intermediate, formed by reaction between 2‐formylbenzoic acid and dibenzylamine in the presence of silica nanoparticles (silica NP, ca. 42 nm) proceeds smoothly at room temperature to afford isocoumarin (=1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one) derivatives in high yields (Scheme 1 and Table 1).     

Self‐Amplified Photodynamic Therapy through the 1O2‐Mediated Internalization of Photosensitizers from a Ppa‐Bearing Block Copolymer

Nanocarriers are employed to deliver photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) through the enhanced penetration and retention effect, but disadvantages including the premature leakage and non‐selective release of photosensitizers still exist. Herein, we report a ¹O₂‐responsive block copolymer (POEGMA‐b‐P(MAA‐co‐VSPpaMA) to enhance PDT via the controllable release of photosensitizers. Once nanoparticles formed by the block copolymer have accumulated in a tumor and have been taken up by cancer cells, pyropheophorbide a (Ppa) could be controllably released by singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generated by light irradiation, enhancing the photosensitization. This was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and in vivo fluorescence imaging. The ¹O₂‐responsiveness of POEGMA‐b‐P(MAA‐co‐VSPpaMA) block copolymer enabled the realization of self‐amplified photodynamic therapy by the regulation of Ppa release using NIR illumination. This may provide a new insight into the design of precise PDT.     

Preparation of Silica Nanoparticles from Organic Laboratory Waste of Silica Gel HF254 and Their Use as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐isoindolone Derivatives

Reaction of an isocyanide with an iminium ion intermediate, formed by reaction between 6‐formyl‐2,3‐dimethoxybenzoic acid and secondary amines (dibenzyl‐ or benzyl(isopropyl)amine) in the presence of silica nanoparticles (silica NPs, ca. 70 nm) proceeds smoothly at room temperature to afford 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isoindolone derivatives in high yields.     

Preparation and Structures of 2‐Substituted 5‐Benzyl‐3‐methylimidazolidin‐4‐one‐Derived Iminium Salts,Reactive Intermediates in Organocatalytic Transformations Involving α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Preparations of the title compounds, 5 – 7 (Scheme 1 and Table 1), of their ammonium salts, 9 – 11 (Scheme 2 and Table 2), and of the corresponding cinnamaldehyde‐derived iminium salts 12 – 14 (Scheme 3 and Table 3) are reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of 15 cinnamyliminium PF₆ salts have been determined (Table 4). Selected ¹H‐NMR data (Table 5) of the ammonium and iminium salts are discussed, and structures in solution are compared with those in the solid state.     

Photodynamic Therapy for Bladder Cancers,A Focused Review†

Bladder cancer is the first cancer for which PDT was clinically approved in 1993. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful due to side effects like bladder contraction. Here, we summarized the recent progress of PDT for bladder cancers, focusing on photosensitizers and formulations. General strategies to minimize side effects are intravesical administration of photosensitizers, use of targeting strategies for photosensitizers and better control of light. Non-muscle invasive bladder cancers are more suitable for PDT than muscle invasive and metastatic bladder cancers. In 2010, the FDA approved blue light cystoscopy, using PpIX fluorescence, for photodynamic diagnosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. PpIX produced from HAL was also used in PDT but was not successful due to low therapeutic efficacy. To enhance the efficacy of PpIX-PDT, we have been working on combining it with singlet oxygen-activatable prodrugs. The use of these prodrugs increases the therapeutic efficacy of the PpIX-PDT. It also improves tumor selectivity of the prodrugs due to the preferential formation of PpIX in cancer cells resulting in decreased off-target toxicity. Future challenges include improving prodrugs and light delivery across the bladder barrier to deeper tumor tissue and generating an effective therapeutic response in an In vivo setting without causing collateral damage to bladder function.