Synergistic effect of photobiomodulation and phthalocyanine photosensitizer on fibroblast signaling responses in an in vitro three-dimensional microenvironment

Author(s)

Souza, Carla ^[1] ; Jayme, Cristiano Ceron ^[1] ; Rezende, Nayara ^[1] ; Tedesco, Antonio Claudio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Chem, Ctr Nanotechnol & Tissue Engn, Photobiol & Photomed Res Grp, Fac Philosophy Sci &, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY; v. 222, SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a promising medical treatment modality in the area of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, we investigated the effect of combined therapy in a 3D microenvironment using aluminum chloride phthalocyanines (AlClPc) as the photosensitizing agent. Normal human fibroblast-containing collagen biomatrix was prepared and treated with an oil-in-water (o/a) AlClPc-loaded nanoemulsion (from 0.5 to 3.0 mu M) and irradiated at a range of fluences (from 0.1 to 3.0 J/cm2) using a continuous-wave light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation system (660 nm). PBM at 1.2 J/cm2 and AlClPc/NE at 0.5 mu M modified the fibroblast signaling response under 3D conditions, promoting collagen synthesis, ROS production, MMP-9 secretion, proliferation of the actin network, and facile myofibroblastic differentiation. PBM alone (at 1.2 J/cm2 and 0.3 J/cm2) had no significant effect on any of these parameters. The combined therapy affected myofibroblastic differentiation, inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix pliability, and should thus be examined further in subsequent studies considering that no side effects of PBM have been reported. Even though significant progress has been made in the field of phototherapy in recent years, it is necessary to further elucidate the detailed mechanisms underlying its effects already shown in 2D conditions to increase the acceptance of this beneficial and noninvasive therapeutic approach. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50181-1 - Use of drugs containing nanocarriers with photosensitizers and/or other active compounds applied to cell therapy and treatment of central nervous system disorders
• Grantee: Antonio Claudio Tedesco
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/10237-1 - Development and characterization of scaffolds based on PCL-PGE and DNA applied to tissue engineering for bone regeneration
• Grantee: Cristiano Ceron Jayme
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/01272-5 - In vitro reconstituted skin models: development, damage assessment and photoprotective efficacy in the UVA and visible spectral ranges
• Grantee: Carla Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral