PHOTOHEMOLYTIC LESIONS: STOICHIOMETRY OF CREATION BY PHLOXINE B

The uptake of the halogenated fluorescein sensitizers, Rose Bengal and phloxine B, by erythrocyte membranes was measured as a function of incubation time. Ghost membranes concentrate the sensitizers to levels greatly in excess of the sensitizer concentration in the suspension medium. Most of the uptake occurs in the first hour and is virtually complete by four hours. It is not significantly affected by stirring under the present conditions. The distribution of sensitizer cannot be explained as partitioning between immiscible solvents. Rather the data fits the Freundlich adsorption isotherm over a wide range of sensitizer concentrations and ghost protein values. Photohemolysis experiments were performed using sensitizer concentrations and incubation times similar to those used in the sensitizer uptake studies. The kinetics of lysis were found to vary with the 1.2 power of sensitizer concentration using PB. When combined with the uptake data for this sensitizer, these results imply that photohemolytic lesions in the red cell membrane are formed by the action of two sensitizer molecules.     

A NEW HYPOTHESIS FOR THE TARGET IN PHOTOHEMOLYSIS: DIMERS OF THE BAND 3 PROTEIN

Abstract— Photohemolysis has been investigated extensively during the past 20 years, but the membrane target has eluded identification. It is proposed here that the target is the dimer of the band 3 anion exchange protein. This new hypothesis is based on three observations from the literature: (1) the kinetics of photohemolysis sensitized by exogenous sensitizers or induced by UV light obey a power dependence with light dose, with an exponent near two. From target theory this implies a two-component target. (2) Band 3 molecules exist in the erythrocyte membrane as dimers. (3) Binding of eosin to band 3 via an isothiocyano group markedly increases its potency to sensitize hemolysis. Experiments with eosin isothiocyanate bound to band 3 show that lytic rate varies as the 1.45 power of light dose, and that the bound sensitizer bleaches considerably, thereby blunting the effectiveness of higher light doses.     

MEASUREMENT OF CELL LYSIS BY LIGHT SCATTERING

Abstract— A method is presented which is capable of continuously monitoring the degree of hemolysis in erythrocyte suspensions too dilute to be monitored by conventional light transmission techniques. Scattered light is used to non-destructively assess hemolysis in sparse monolayers which are particularly well suited to many photohemolytic studies. The small angle scattering (<10°), measured here, shows a transient decline as cells settle in a culture dish and then is constant if no lysis occurs. Lysis is indicated by a decrease in scattered light to < 20% of initial intensity when lysis is complete. The light used to monitor lysis is restricted to wavelengths longer than 700 nm which is outside the absorption band of many. photosensitizers of current interest, and is a wavelength range at which light scattering is relatively independent of changes in cell volume. In photohemolytic studies with phloxine B lysis values from light scattering are shown to correlate well with lysis values from hemoglobin release. An apparatus is described which is capable of periodically measuring lysis in eight suspensions without intervention by the experimenter.     

SPECIES DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO PHOTOHEMOLYTIC AGENTS

Species differences in red blood cell susceptibility to the photohemolytic agents chlorpromazine, menadione and tetracycline were examined in mouse, rat, dog, and human blood. Menadione and tetracycline (25 microM) hemolyzed mouse but not dog, rat, or human red blood cells (RBC) when irradiated with UV light but not in the dark. Chlorpromazine (25 microM) produced a photohemolytic response in all four species with mouse and rat RBC lysing fastest followed by human then dog cells. Investigations into the nature of these species differences suggested that the size of mouse RBC may contribute to its high sensitivity to photohemolytic agents. An investigation of the effect of UV light on key antioxidant enzymes revealed species differences in enzyme inactivation. These data suggest that mouse RBC may be particularly vulnerable to phototoxic agents, especially those compounds which produce active oxygen species and, therefore, may prove more useful than human RBC as a model for predicting phototoxic potential of some chemical entities.     

Efficient eosin y dye-sensitized solar cell containing Br-/Br3- electrolyte

We found that Br-/Br3- is more suitable than an I-/I3- couple in dye-sensitized solar cells in terms of higher open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) production and higher overall energy conversion efficiency (eta) if the dye sensitizer has a more positive potential than that of Br-/Br3-. Under simulated AM1.5 one sun, an eosin Y dye-sensitized solar cell containing 0.4 M LiBr + 0.04 M Br2 electrolyte in acetonitrile yielded a short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc) of 4.63 mA cm(-2), Voc of 0.813 V, and fill factor (FF) of 0.693, corresponding to 2.61% of eta. Under the same conditions except for the electrolyte 0.4 M LiI + 0.04 M I2 in acetonitrile instead, the device produced 1.67% of eta (Jsc = 5.15 mA cm(-2), Voc = 0.451 V, FF = 0.721). Replacement of I-/I3- with Br-/Br3- in eosin Y dye-sensitized solar cells yielded a significant increase in Voc offset by slight decreases in Jsc and FF, leading to an increase in eta by 56%. The significant gain in Voc was attributed to the enlarged energy level difference between the redox potential of the electrolyte and the Fermi level of TiO2 and the suppressed charge recombination as well. The rate for charge recombination between bromine and the injected electrons was determined to be first order in bromine.     

PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION OF YEAST SENSITIZED BY EOSIN Y

Abstract. Wild-type diploid yeast has been irradiated with visible light in the presence of eosin Y to investigate the photodynamic inactivation of this model eukaryote. Light, eosin Y and oxygen were all required for substantial inactivation, and no dark recovery was detected. Long periods of irradiation were required for greater than 90% inactivation, corresponding to a very small low-dose quantum yield. Neither binding nor uptake of the dye by yeast was detected. Corrections for the photooxidative bleaching of eosin Y during irradiation indicate that bleaching causes a significant reduction in the apparent rate of inactivation. The results suggest that eosin Y acts as an extracellular sensitizer where the likelihood of damage to the cell envelope is enhanced.     

PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION OF LYSOZYME BY EOSIN

Abstract— It has been demonstrated that singlet oxygen is the major oxidizing entity in the photo-dynamic inactivation of hen egg white lysozyme by eosin, using D₂O to enhance the solvent-induced decay lifetime, and azide ion as a specific scavenger. Two regimes of inactivation can be distinguished depending on whether the sensitizer is free or complexed to the enzyme. The kinetic analysis for free dye sensitization, based on photostationary measurements and inactivation quantum yields, indicates that at least 1 in 15 singlet oxygen interactions with lysozyme leads to loss of lytic activity. The direct attack of triplet eosin makes a lesser overall contribution in air-saturated solutions, where 1 in 4 reactions induces inactivation. Lysozyme binds 1 eosin molecule from pH 4 to 12, leading to almost total quenching of the tryptophyl residue fluorescence without inhibition of the enzymic activity. The inactivation quantum yields indicate that singlet oxygen generated from the bound dye is the inactivating agent, but the dominant attack takes place with the complexed fraction of lysozyme molecules. The tryptophyl residue loss is the same or smaller in changing from H₂O to D₂O despite the 5–10 times increase in quantum yield, indicating that singlet oxygen inactivates also by reacting with residues other than tryptophan. The photochemical and fluorescence results are consistent with the the identification of tryptophyl site 108 with the eosin binding site and a reaction target for singlet oxygen. In a re-examination of earlier work on eosin-sensitized photo-oxidation of I", it has been found that singlet oxygen is the oxidizing agent in aerobic solutions.     

PROTECTION BY THE FLUORIDE ION AGAINST PHTHALOCYANINE-INDUCED PHOTODYNAMIC KILLING OF CHINESE HAMSTER CELLS

When a dilute F- solution was added to a culture of Chinese hamster cells that had been preincubated with an aluminium phthalocyanine sensitizer derived from AlPcCl, the photosensitivity of the cells was markedly reduced compared to control cells not treated with F-. Under the same treatment conditions, the reduction in [3H]thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA caused by light and this sensitizer and the production of DNA-protein crosslinks caused by light and this sensitizer were also inhibited by F-. In contrast, the killing of Chinese hamster cells, the reduction of thymidine incorporation by the cells, and the production of DNA-protein crosslinks in the cells caused by the combination of light and either Photofrin II or the silicon phthalocyanine HOSiPcOSi(CH3)2(CH2)3-N(CH3)2 were not inhibited by F-. We conclude that the aluminium phthalocyanine sensitizer used is largely or completely AlPc(OH)(H2O), that it is converted to a fluoro complex by F-, and that this compound probably is a less efficient generator of photochemical damage at a critical cellular target(s) than is AlPc(OH)(H2O). The inhibition of thymidine incorporation and DNA-protein crosslink formation indicates that the effects of F- can be expressed at intracellular sites. It is further concluded that the silicon phthalocyanine sensitizer and Photofrin II do not interact significantly with F-.     

DFT/TD-DFT molecular design of porphyrin analogues for use in dye-sensitized solar cells

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations have been employed to model Zn meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) complexes having different beta-substituents, in order to design an efficient sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells. To calculate the excited states of the porphyrin analogues, at least the TD-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory is needed to replicate the experimental absorption spectra. Solvation results were found to be invariant with respect to the type of model used (PCM vs. C-PCM). Most of the electronic transitions based on Gouterman's four-orbital model of ZnTPP-A and ZnTPP-B are pi --> pi* transitions, so that cell efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the pi-conjugation and electron-withdrawing capability of the beta-substituent. This proposition was tested by inserting thiophene into the beta-substituent of ZnTPP-A to form a new analogue, ZnTPP-C. Compared with ZnTPP-A and ZnTPP-B, ZnTPP-C has a smaller band gap, which brings LUMO closer to the conduction band of TiO(2), and a red-shifted absorption spectrum with higher extinction coefficients, especially in the Q-band position.     

Photoinduced electron injection from Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2 to SnO2 and TiO2 nanocrystalline films

Photoinduced electron injection from the sensitizer Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2 (RuN3) into SnO2 and TiO2 nanocrystalline films occurs by two distinct channels on the femto- and picosecond time scales. The faster electron injection into the conduction band of the different semiconductors originates from the initially excited singlet state of RuN3, and occurs in competition with intersystem crossing. The rate of singlet electron injection is faster to TiO2 (1/55 fs-1) than to SnO2 (1/145 fs-1), in agreement with higher density of conduction band acceptor states in the former semiconductor. As a result of competition between the ultrafast processes, for TiO2 singlet, whereas for SnO2 triplet electron injection is dominant. Electron injection from the triplet state is nonexponential and can be fitted with time constants ranging from approximately 1 ps (2.5 ps for SnO2) to approximately 50 ps for both semiconductors. The major part of triplet injection is independent of the semiconductor and is most likely controlled by intramolecular dynamics in RuN3. The overall time scale and the yield of electron injection to the two semiconductors are very similar, suggesting that processes other than electron injection are responsible for the difference in efficiencies of solar cells made of these materials.     

Photodynamic studies and photoinactivation of Escherichia coli using meso-substituted cationic porphyrin derivatives with asymmetric charge distribution

The photodynamic activities of novel asymmetrically meso-substituted cationic porphyrins, 5,10-di(4-methylphenyl)-15,20-di(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin iodide 1 and 5-(4-trifluorophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin iodide 2 and its metal complex with Pd(II) 3, have been investigated in both homogeneous medium bearing photooxidizable substrates and in vitro on a typical gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. The amphiphilic character of porphyrin 2 was increased by the presence of a high-lipophilic trifluoromethyl group and its photophysical properties changed by forming a complex with Pd(II). Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies were compared in different media. Fluorescence quantum yields (phi(F)) of 0.16 for 1 in tetrahydrofuran and 0.08 for 2 in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were calculated, whereas no significant emission was detected for Pd(II) porphyrin 3. The singlet molecular oxygen, O(2)((1)Delta(g)), production was evaluated using 9,10-dimethylanthracene in DMF yielding relative values of 1, 0.55 and 0.47 for porphyrins 3, 2 and 1, respectively. A faster decomposition of l-tryptophan was obtained using Pd(II) porphyrin 3 as sensitizer with respect to the free-base porphyrins 1 and 2. In biological medium, the behavior of cationic porphyrins 1-3 were compared with that of 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-methylphenyl)porphyrin 4, which was used as a noncationic sensitizer. These porphyrins are rapidly bound to E. coli cells in 5 min and the amount of cell-bound sensitizer is not appreciably changed incubating the cultures for longer times. The recovered porphyrin 2 after one washing step reaches a value of approximately 2.9 nmol/10(6) cells and this amount remains high even after three washes, indicating that this sensitizer is tightly bound to cells. Photosensitized inactivation of E. coli was analyzed using cells without and with one washing step. In both cases, a higher photoinactivation of cells was found for tricationic porphyrin 2 and 3, causing a approximately 5.5 log (99.999%) decrease of cell survival, when treated with 10 microM of sensitizer. Under these conditions, a lower effect was found for porphyrin 1 (approximately 4 log) whereas sensitizer 4 did not produce appreciable photodamage. The results were also confirmed by growth delay experiments. These studies show that the amphiphilic tricationic porphyrin 2 and 3 bearing a trifluoromethyl group can be a promising model for phototherapeutic agents with potential applications in inactivation of bacteria by photodynamic therapy.     

Dye‐Controlled Interfacial Electron Transfer for High‐Current Indium Tin Oxide Photocathodes

Efficient sensitized photocathodes are highly desired for solar fuels and tandem solar cells, yet the development is hindered by the scarcity of suitable p‐type semiconductors. The generation of high cathodic photocurrents by sensitizing a degenerate n‐type semiconductor (tin‐doped indium oxide; ITO) is reported. The sensitized mesoporous ITO electrodes deliver cathodic photocurrents of up to 5.96±0.19 mA cm^?2, which are close to the highest record in conventional p‐type sensitized photocathodes. This is realized by the rational selection of dyes with appropriate energy alignments with ITO. The energy level alignment between the highest occupied molecular orbital of the sensitizer and the conduction band of ITO is crucial for efficient hole injection. Transient absorption spectroscopy studies demonstrate that the cathodic photocurrent results from reduction of the photoexcited sensitizer by free electrons in ITO. Our results reveal a new perspective toward the selection of electrode materials for sensitized photocathodes.     

Panchromatic ruthenium sensitizer based on electron-rich heteroarylvinylene π-conjugated quaterpyridine for dye-sensitized solar cells

The first example of a heteroarylvinylene π-conjugated quaterpyridine Ru(II) sensitizer (N1044) was synthesized and used in dye-sensitized solar cells; the dye has an effective panchromatic absorption band, covering the entire visible spectrum up to the NIR region, and superior electrochemical characteristics (HOMO/LUMO and bandgap energies) with respect to previous representative Ru(II) bi- and quaterpyridine sensitizers. A record IPCE curve ranging from 360 to 920 nm has been measured with a maximum of 65% at 646 nm and still 33% efficiency at 800 nm; this leads to substantially increased photocurrent (19.2 mA cm(-2)) when compared to the prototype N719 Ru(II) sensitizer.     

A study of electron transfer in Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2 sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 and SnO2 films induced by red-wing excitation

Excited state dynamics and electron transfer from the Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2 (RuN3) sensitizer to semiconductor nanoparticles were studied using time-resolved femtosecond absorption spectroscopy. We found that excitation of the red wing of the absorption spectrum of the sensitizer populates the (3)MLCT state directly, both in solution and attached on semiconductor nanoparticle films. Electron injection is slowed down and becomes gradually less efficient as excitation moves towards red from the absorption maximum at 535 nm. At 675 nm the injection is non-exponential and characterized by 5, 30 and 180 ps time constants. The non-exponential electron injection observed is assigned to injection from a distribution of triplet states with energies below the semiconductor conduction band edge.     

Rapid Initiation of Apoptosis by Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract— Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of neoplastic cell lines is sometimes associated with the rapid initiation of apoptosis, a mode of cell death that results in a distinct pattern of cellular and DNA fragmentation. The apoptotic response appears to be a function of both the sensitizer and the cell line. In this study, we examined photodynamic effects of several photosensitizers on murine leukemia P388 cells. Two drugs, a porphycene dimer (PcD) and tin etiopurpurin (SnET2), which localized at lysosomal sites, were tested at PDT doses that resulted in 50% loss of viability (LD₅₀), measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. An oligonucleosomal pattern of DNA degradation was observed within 1 h after irradiation. Neither sensitizer antagonized PDT-mediated internucleosomal DNA cleavage by the other. Very high PDT doses with either agent abolished this rapid internucleosomal cleavage. Exposure of cells to high concentrations of either sensitizer in the dark also resulted in rapid DNA fragmentation to nucle-osomes and nucleosome multimers; this effect was not altered by the antioxidant 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid (trolox), although the latter could protect cells from cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects caused by LD₅₀ PDT doses. Photodamage from two cat-ionic sensitizers, which localized at membrane sites, caused rapid DNA cleavage to 50 kb particles; however, no further fragmentation was detected after 1 h under LD₁₀, LD₅₀ or LD₉₅ PDT conditions. Moreover, the presence of either cationic sensitizer inhibited the rapid internucleosomal cleavage induced by SnET2 or PcD photodamage. The site of photodynamic action may therefore be a major determinant of the initiation and rate of progression of apoptosis.     

Note Dye-Sensitized Photopolymerization of Acrylonitrile with the Eosin-Periodate Initiating System

A new photoinitiating system (eosin‐periodate) was employed for the polymerization of acrylonitrile in which dye acts as both sensitizer and reducing agent. The rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to monomer concentration, dye concentration, and light intensity, but independent of periodate concentration. A mechanism involving initiation by OH radicals and termination by periodate is proposed to explain the results.     

“Pointsource” Delivery of a Photosensitizer Drug and Singlet Oxygen: Eradication of Glioma Cells In Vitro

We describe a pointsource sensitizer‐tipped microoptic device for the eradication of glioma U87 cells. The device has a mesoporous fluorinated silica tip which emits singlet oxygen molecules and small quantities of pheophorbide sensitizer for additional production of singlet oxygen in the immediate vicinity. The results show that the device surges in sensitizer release and photokilling with higher rates about midway through the reaction. This was attributed to a self‐amplified autocatalytic reaction where released sensitizer in the extracellular matrix provides positive feedback to assist in the release of additional sensitizer. The photokilling of the glioma cells was analyzed by global toxicity and live/dead assays, where a killing radius around the tip with ~0.3 mm precision was achieved. The implication of these results for a new PDT tool of hard‐to‐resect tumors, e.g. in the brain, is discussed.     

染料敏化太阳能电池中额外给体引入对经典D-π-A型敏化剂性能影响的理论研究

为了探讨D-D-π-A型染料中双给体对敏化剂性能的影响, 本文结合密度泛函理论(DFT)及含时密度泛函理论(TD-DFT)对染料1~4的几何结构、 电子结构、 吸收光谱、 电化学性质、 电子复合程度以及半导体导带边缘的移动等进行了对比研究. 结果表明, 相比于经典的D-π-A型染料分子1, 在分子2~4(D-D-π-A型双给体染料) 中额外引入给体, 尽管对导带能级移动的改变不是很显著, 但是可以改变体系的共轭程度, 增加染料的光吸收强度. 重要的是, 额外给体的引入可以显著增加染料阳离子空穴-半导体之间的距离, 从而减缓注入电子与染料阳离子的复合; 在额外给体中引入杂原子可以使I₂聚集在染料外侧, 从而降低电解质在半导体表面的局域浓度, 进而减缓注入电子与电解质之间的复合速率. 因此, 通过在经典的D-π-A型染料上引入额外的电子给体构筑D-D-π-A型染料可以有效调节染料的光吸收、 电化学及电子复合等方面的性质, 是设计合成高性能染料的可行策略.     

Triphenylamine Groups Improve Blocking Behavior of Phenoxazine Dyes in Cobalt‐Electrolyte‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Novel phenoxazine dyes are successfully introduced as sensitizers into dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with cobalt‐based electrolyte. In sensitizers with triphenylamine (TPA) groups recombination from electrons in the TiO₂ conduction band to the cobalt(III) species is suppressed. The effect of the steric properties of the phenoxazine sensitizers on the overall device performance and on recombination and regeneration processes is compared. Optimized DSCs sensitized with IB2 having two TPA groups in combination with tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) cobalt(II/III) yield efficiencies of 6.3 %, similar to that of IB3 , which is equipped with mutiple alkoxy groups. TH310 with only one TPA group gives lower efficiency and open circuit voltage, while IB1 without TPA groups performs even worse. These results demonstrate that both TPA groups on the IB2 are needed for an efficient blocking effect. These results reveal a possible new role for TPA units in DSC sensitizer design.     

Strategies developed on the modification of titania for visible light response with enhanced interfacial charge transfer process: an overview

The modification of titania by metal / non metal ion doping, coupling with narrow band gap sensitizer, surface flourination, metal deposition, and together with recent ventures on application of {001} facets of anatase titania for visible light response with enhanced charge carrier separation are briefly overviewed.