Photodynamic Action of LED-activated Nanoscale Photosensitizer in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

Background: Photodynamic therapy has been confirmed to an efficient therapeutic modality of malignant tumors. The aim of the present study was to explore the photodynamic action of LED-activated nanoscale photosensitizer-loading hypocrellin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Material/Methods: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 cells were subjected to photodynamic therapy with hypocrellin-loaded nanophotosensitizer. The uptake of the nanophotosensitizer in the CNE-2 cells was measured using a spectrophotometer and photodynamic toxicity was investigated 18 h after LED radiation treatment. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with propidum iodine staining, and nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. Active caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells was evaluated using flow cytometry with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-active caspase-3 antibodies. Results: The cellular uptake of the nanophotosensitizer in the CNE-2 cells reached optimal at 6 h. LED-activated nanophotosensitizer resulted in dose-and light-dependent phototoxicity. Apoptotic rate 18 h after PDT increased to 34.32 +/- 1.94% under the light energy of 1 J/cm(2). Hoechest 33258 staining reinforced the findings above. Condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentations was found in many PDT-treated cells. The activated caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells significantly increased up to 43.90% when the CNE2 cells were exposed to the nanophotosensitizer for 6 h and then 1 J/cm(2) irradiation. Conclusion: LED-activated nanophotosensitizer significantly killed the CNE2 cells and enhanced apoptosis and activated caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells. The hypocrellin-loaded nanophotosensitizer might be efficient photosensitizer and LED-activated nanophotosensitizer can be developed for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma.