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15 pages, 2680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Loading of Black Phosphorus Nanoflakes and Doxorubicin in Lysolipid Temperature-Sensitive Liposomes for Combination Therapy in Prostate Cancer

by Chandrima Das, Cristina Martín, Sebastian Habermann, Harriet Rose Walker, Javed Iqbal, Jacobo Elies, Huw Simon Jones, Giacomo Reina and Amalia Ruiz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010115 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 865

Abstract

Black phosphorus (BP) is one of the most promising nanomaterials for cancer therapy. This 2D material is biocompatible and has strong photocatalytic activity, making it a powerful photosensitiser for combined NIR photothermal and photodynamic therapies. However, the fast degradation of BP in oxic [...] Read more.

Black phosphorus (BP) is one of the most promising nanomaterials for cancer therapy. This 2D material is biocompatible and has strong photocatalytic activity, making it a powerful photosensitiser for combined NIR photothermal and photodynamic therapies. However, the fast degradation of BP in oxic conditions (including biological environments) still limits its use in cancer therapy. This work proposes a facile strategy to produce stable and highly concentrated BP suspensions using lysolipid temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs). This approach also allows for co-encapsulating BP nanoflakes and doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic drug. Finally, we demonstrate that our BP/doxorubicin formulation shows per se high antiproliferative action against an in vitro prostate cancer model and that the anticancer activity can be enhanced through NIR irradiance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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14 pages, 2526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Mechanism of Light-Induced Age-Related Decrease in Melanin Concentration in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells

by Alexander E. Dontsov, Marina A. Yakovleva, Alexander A. Vasin, Alexander A. Gulin, Arseny V. Aybush, Viktor A. Nadtochenko and Mikhail A. Ostrovsky

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713099 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 875

Abstract

It is known that during the process of aging, there is a significant decrease in the number of melanosomes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the human eye. Melanosomes act as screening pigments in RPE cells and are fundamentally important for [...] Read more.

It is known that during the process of aging, there is a significant decrease in the number of melanosomes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the human eye. Melanosomes act as screening pigments in RPE cells and are fundamentally important for protection against the free radicals generated by light. A loss or change in the quality of melanin in melanosomes can lead to the development of senile pathologies and aggravation in the development of various retinal diseases. We have previously shown that the interaction between melanin melanosomes and superoxide radicals results in oxidative degradation with the formation of water-soluble fluorescent products. In the present study, we show, using fluorescence analysis, HPLC, and mass spectrometry, that visible light irradiation on melanolipofuscin granules isolated from RPE cells in the human eye results in the formation of water-soluble fluorescent products from oxidative degradation of melanin, which was in contrast to lipofuscin granules and melanosomes irradiation. The formation of these products occurs as a result of the oxidative degradation of melanin by superoxide radicals, which are generated by the lipofuscin part of the melanolipofuscin granule. We identified these products both in the composition of melanolipofuscin granules irradiated with visible light and in the composition of melanosomes that were not irradiated but were, instead, oxidized by superoxide radicals. In the melanolipofuscin granules irradiated by visible light, ions that could be associated with melanin oxidative degradation products were identified by applying the principal component analysis of the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) data. Degradation of the intact melanosomes by visible light is also possible; however, this requires significantly higher irradiation intensities than for melanolipofuscin granules. It is concluded that the decrease in the concentration of melanin in RPE cells in the human eye with age is due to its oxidative degradation by reactive oxygen species generated by lipofuscin, as part of the melanolipofuscin granules, under the action of light. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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20 pages, 2650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photon- and Singlet-Oxygen-Induced Cis–Trans Isomerization of the Water-Soluble Carotenoid Crocin

by Franco Fusi, Giovanni Romano, Giovanna Speranza and Giovanni Agati

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10783; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310783 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1115

Abstract

Studying the cis–trans isomerization process in crocin (CR), one of the few water-soluble carotenoids extracted from saffron, is important to better understand the physiological role of cis-carotenoids in vivo and their potential as antioxidants in therapeutic applications. For that, cis–trans isomerization of both [...] Read more.

Studying the cis–trans isomerization process in crocin (CR), one of the few water-soluble carotenoids extracted from saffron, is important to better understand the physiological role of cis-carotenoids in vivo and their potential as antioxidants in therapeutic applications. For that, cis–trans isomerization of both methanol- and water-dissolved CR was induced by light or thermally generated singlet oxygen (¹O₂). The kinetics of molecular concentrations were monitored by both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and non-destructive spectrophotometric methods. These last made it possible to simultaneously follow the cis–trans isomerization, the possible bleaching of compounds and the amount of thermally generated ¹O₂. Our results were in accordance with a comprehensive model where the cis–trans isomerization occurs as relaxation from the triplet state of all-trans- or 13-cis-CR, whatever is the way to populate the CR triplet state, either by photon or ¹O₂ energy transfer. The process is much more (1.9 to 10-fold) efficient from cis to trans than vice versa. In H₂O, a ¹O₂-induced bleaching effect on the starting CR was not negligible. However, the CR “flip-flop” isomerization reaction could still occur, suggesting that this process can represent an efficient mechanism for quenching of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, with a limited need of carotenoid regeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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10 pages, 2009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

UV-A Radiation: Safe Human Exposure and Antibacterial Activity

by Angela Sandri, Aldo Tessari, Danilo Giannetti, Alberto Cetti, Maria M. Lleo and Federico Boschi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 8331; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098331 - 05 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

UV radiation is used for sterilization but has adverse health effects in humans. UV-A radiation has lower antimicrobial effect than UV-B and UV-C but constitutes a lower health risk, opening up the possibility to sanitize environments with human presence in controlled exposure conditions. [...] Read more.

UV radiation is used for sterilization but has adverse health effects in humans. UV-A radiation has lower antimicrobial effect than UV-B and UV-C but constitutes a lower health risk, opening up the possibility to sanitize environments with human presence in controlled exposure conditions. We investigated this possibility by identifying safe exposure conditions to a UV-A lamp along with efficient sanitization of the environment. The human exposure limits were calculated following the guidelines provided by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and the International Commission on Illumination. Antibacterial activity was evaluated on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum human exposure duration has been identified at different irradiation distance and angle, increasing with the increase of both parameters. Bactericidal activity was observed in all microorganisms and was higher with higher exposure time and at lower distance from the source. Noteworthily, in equal conditions of radiant exposure, the exposure time impacts on the bactericidal activity more than the distance from the source. The modulation of factors such as distance from the source, exposure time and irradiation angle can enable effective antibacterial activity and human safety. Prolonged direct irradiation of the surfaces associated with indirect human exposure represents the condition of greater efficacy and safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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13 pages, 3052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) in Anticancer Photodynamic Therapy with Zn(II) Phthalocyanines

by Vanya Mantareva, Ivan Iliev, Inna Sulikovska, Mahmut Durmuş and Ivan Angelov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054400 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a curative method, firstly developed for cancer therapy with fast response after treatment and minimum side effects. Two zinc(II) phthalocyanines (3ZnPc and 4ZnPc) and a hydroxycobalamin (Cbl) were investigated on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) in [...] Read more.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a curative method, firstly developed for cancer therapy with fast response after treatment and minimum side effects. Two zinc(II) phthalocyanines (3ZnPc and 4ZnPc) and a hydroxycobalamin (Cbl) were investigated on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) in comparison to normal cell lines (MCF-10 and BALB 3T3). The novelty of this study is a complex of non-peripherally methylpyridiloxy substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanine (3ZnPc) and the evaluation of the effects on different cell lines due to the addition of second porphyrinoid such as Cbl. The results showed the complete photocytotoxicity of both ZnPc-complexes at lower concentrations (<0.1 μM) for 3ZnPc. The addition of Cbl caused a higher phototoxicity of 3ZnPc at one order lower concentrations (<0.01 μM) with a diminishment of the dark toxicity. Moreover, it was determined that an increase of the selectivity index of 3ZnPc, from 0.66 (MCF-7) and 0.89 (MDA-MB-231) to 1.56 and 2.31, occurred by the addition of Cbl upon exposure with a LED 660 nm (50 J/cm²). The study suggested that the addition of Cbl can minimize the dark toxicity and improve the efficiency of the phthalocyanines for anticancer PDT applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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13 pages, 3413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Toxicity Evaluation of a Porphyrin Photosensitizer in an Alternative Preclinical Model

by Miryam Chiara Malacarne, Maristella Mastore, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Maurizio Francesco Brivio and Enrico Caruso

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043131 - 05 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1311

Abstract

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer (PS) excited with a specific wavelength, and in the presence of oxygen, gives rise to photochemical reactions that lead to cell damage. Over the past few years, larval stages of the G. mellonella moth have proven to [...] Read more.

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer (PS) excited with a specific wavelength, and in the presence of oxygen, gives rise to photochemical reactions that lead to cell damage. Over the past few years, larval stages of the G. mellonella moth have proven to be an excellent alternative animal model for in vivo toxicity testing of novel compounds and virulence testing. In this article, we report a series of preliminary studies on G. mellonella larvae to evaluate the photoinduced stress response by a porphyrin (PS) (TPPOH). The tests performed evaluated PS toxicity on larvae and cytotoxicity on hemocytes, both in dark conditions and following PDT. Cellular uptake was also evaluated by fluorescence and flow cytometry. The results obtained demonstrate how the administration of PS and subsequent irradiation of larvae affects not only larvae survival rate, but also immune system cells. It was also possible to verify PS’s uptake and uptake kinetics in hemocytes, observing a maximum peak at 8 h. Given the results obtained in these preliminary tests, G. mellonella appears to be a promising model for preclinical PS tests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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Review

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30 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Trends of Bacterial and Fungal Optoproteins for Novel Optical Applications

by Carolina Ramírez Martínez, Leonardo S. Gómez-Pérez, Alberto Ordaz, Ana Laura Torres-Huerta and Aurora Antonio-Perez

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14741; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914741 - 29 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1710

Abstract

Photoproteins, luminescent proteins or optoproteins are a kind of light-response protein responsible for the conversion of light into biochemical energy that is used by some bacteria or fungi to regulate specific biological processes. Within these specific proteins, there are groups such as the [...] Read more.

Photoproteins, luminescent proteins or optoproteins are a kind of light-response protein responsible for the conversion of light into biochemical energy that is used by some bacteria or fungi to regulate specific biological processes. Within these specific proteins, there are groups such as the photoreceptors that respond to a given light wavelength and generate reactions susceptible to being used for the development of high-novel applications, such as the optocontrol of metabolic pathways. Photoswitchable proteins play important roles during the development of new materials due to their capacity to change their conformational structure by providing/eliminating a specific light stimulus. Additionally, there are bioluminescent proteins that produce light during a heatless chemical reaction and are useful to be employed as biomarkers in several fields such as imaging, cell biology, disease tracking and pollutant detection. The classification of these optoproteins from bacteria and fungi as photoreceptors or photoresponse elements according to the excitation-emission spectrum (UV-Vis-IR), as well as their potential use in novel applications, is addressed in this article by providing a structured scheme for this broad area of knowledge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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14 pages, 3694 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Involvement of Photobiology in Contemporary Dentistry—A Narrative Review

by Ionut Luchian, Dana Gabriela Budală, Elena-Raluca Baciu, Ramona Gabriela Ursu, Diana Diaconu-Popa, Oana Butnaru and Monica Tatarciuc

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043985 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1830

Abstract

Light is an emerging treatment approach that is being used to treat many diseases and conditions such as pain, inflammation, and wound healing. The light used in dental therapy generally lies in visible and invisible spectral regions. Despite many positive results in the [...] Read more.

Light is an emerging treatment approach that is being used to treat many diseases and conditions such as pain, inflammation, and wound healing. The light used in dental therapy generally lies in visible and invisible spectral regions. Despite many positive results in the treatment of different conditions, this therapy still faces some skepticism, which has prevented its widespread adoption in clinics. The main reason for this skepticism is the lack of comprehensive information about the molecular, cellular, and tissular mechanisms of action, which underpin the positive effects of phototherapy. However, there is currently promising evidence in support of the use of light therapy across a spectrum of oral hard and soft tissues, as well as in a variety of important dental subspecialties, such as endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. The merging of diagnostic and therapeutic light procedures is also seen as a promising area for future expansion. In the next decade, several light technologies are foreseen as becoming integral parts of modern dentistry practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials for Photobiology 2.0)

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