Revealing the impact of dimethyl methylene blue cellular localization to the photodynamic efficiency in tumoral cells derived from skin

• Grant number: 22/01971-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: October 10, 2022
• End date: April 09, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Henrique Benites Aoki
• Grantee: Lucas Gontijo Moreira
• Supervisor: Jonathan Richard Brewer
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/15854-9 - Modulating photochemical reactions in Escherichia coli lipid monolayers with the binding mechanisms of eosin decyl ester and toluidine blue-O photosensitizers, BP.MS

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be a highly efficient alternative for treating cancer tissues. It relies on the controlled administration of a photosensitizer (PS) with subsequent light activation for generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which will eventually destroy the cancer cells. PDT efficiency may depend on many factors including the incorporation of the PS into the cells and tissues. However, the molecular mechanism of PS interaction with the cellular structures and the impact of the PS localization on the PDT efficiency are not yet fully understood. Herein, we shall use the superior resolution of the Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy to reveal not only the cell localization of the phenothiazine 1-9 dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB) on in vitro culture of cells derived from skin carcinomas, but also image the photodynamic damage induced upon illumination. The photodynamic efficiency and the mechanisms of cell death triggered will be accessed by LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) cytotoxicity assay. Moreover, this project will catalyze a collaboration between researchers at University of Southern Denmark and UNESP, solidifying a foundation for an extensive research partnership. (AU)