Evaluation of cell damage and modulation of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 in macrophages exposed to PpIX-mediated photodynamic therapy

• Published in: Brazilian journal of biology 2020-09, Vol.80 (3), p.497-505
• Main Authors: Tiveron, R. D. R., Costa, D. A., Leite, M. D. I., Vaz, C. B. S., Sousa, M., Carlos, S. M. C. F., Oliveira, C. J. F., Machado, R. R., Paulino, T. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: BIOLOGY
• ISSN: 1678-4375
• DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.193748

Abstract Little is known regarding whether photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced cell death can substantially compromise macrophages (MΦ), which are important cells in PDT-induced immune responses. Here, parameters of PDT-mediated MΦ cytotoxicity and cytokine production in response to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) were evaluated. Peritoneal MΦ from BALB/c mice were stimulated in vitro with PDT, light, PpIX, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After that, cell viability, lipid peroxidation, Nitric Oxide (NO), DNA damage, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were evaluated. Short PDT exposure reduced cell viability by 10–30%. There was a two-fold increase in NO and DNA degradation, despite the non-increase in lipoperoxidation. PDT increased TNF-α and IL-10, particularly in the presence of LPS, and decreased the production of IL-6 to 10-fold. PDT causes cellular stress, induces NO radicals and leads to DNA degradation, generating a cytotoxic microenvironment. Furthermore, PDT modulates pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in MΦ.