O mecanismo de ação de fotossensibilizadores (FS) fenotiazínicos (azul de metileno - AM, tionina - TIO e azure B - AB) foi estudado em mitocôndrias e células Hela, e a dosimetria de AM em células HL60. Foi observado que a ligação de AM em mitocôndrias é dependente da concentração de mitocôndrias, concentração de AM e do potencial de membrana mitocondrial (Δ Ψ). A geração de oxigênio singlete a partir de AM é influenciada pelo Δ Ψ, sendo aproximadamente o dobro em mitocôndrias desacopladas. Essa variação se deve a influência do Δ Ψ sobre a relação dímero/monômero (D/M) do AM. A ligação de AM também é reduzida pela metade em mitocôndrias desacopladas. Esses efeitos não foram observados para os outros fotossensibilizadores, embora tenham a mesma carga e estrutura semelhante. Isso indica um efeito diferencial do Δ Ψ sobre o AM. Foi observada a toxicidade desses FSs em células Hela. Sem irradiação, apenas AB se mostrou tóxico. Em amostras irradiadas, AB e AM se mostraram tóxicos. Todos os FSs mostraram capacidade de produzir núcleos sub-diplóides, típicos de apoptose, com a maior eficiência sendo do AB. Em relação a toxicidade no escuro e claro, AB mostrou toxicidade em ambas as condições, TIO mostrou pouca toxicidade em ambas as condições e AM mostrou pouca toxicidade no escuro e alta toxicidade quando irradiado. A dosimetria que favorece apoptose em células HL60 também foi testada, sendo que µM de AM, os melhores resultados para formação de núcleos sub-diplóides foram com 10 2 com irradiação (contínua ou fracionada) de 0,55 J/cm2 . Essas dosagens foram as mais baixas utilizadas, indicando que um aumento na concentração de FS ou de luz tende a levar as células à morte necrótica. Conclui-se que os FSs fenotiazínicos tem afinidade por mitocôndrias e por células, podendo levar a indução de apoptose em doses não tóxicas no escuro. / The mechanism of action of phenotiazinic fotossensitizers (FS) (methylene blue - AM, tionin - TIO and azure B - AB) was studied into mitochondria and Hela cells, and AM dosimetry into HL60 cells was determined. AM binding to mitochondria is dependent of mitochondrial concentration, AM concentration and mitochondrial membrane potentials (Δ Ψ). Singlet oxygen generation from AM is influenced by Δ Ψ, almost doubling in uncoupled mitochondria. This effect is due to the influence of Δ Ψ on AM dimer/monomer (D/M) ratio. Also, AM binding drops to half into uncoupled mitochondria. For all the others FSs studied, these effects were not observed, even though they present the same Δ Ψ action over AM. charge and similar structure. This indicates a specific FSs toxicity was observed in Hela cells. In the dark, only AB showed toxicity. In irradiated samples, AM and AB showed toxicity. All the tested FSs showed capacity to induce sub-diploid nuclei formation, a hallmark of apoptosis, with AB showing the highest efficiency. AB showed high toxicity in both (irradiated and non-irradiated) conditions, TIO showed low toxicity in both conditions and AM showed low toxicity in the dark and high toxicity with laser irradiation. The dose that promotes apoptotic cell death in HL60 cells was also tested. Results 2 were observed at 10 µM AM, with laser irradiation (fraction or continuous) of 0,55 J/cm . These doses were the lowest doses tested, indicating that high doses of FS or laser induce necrotic cell death. We conclude that phenotiazinic FSs have affinity for mitochondria and cells, and induce apoptosis at doses that are not toxic without irradiation

No presente trabalho são apresentadas a síntese e a caracterização estrutural, fotofísica, fotoquímica e fotobiológica de nanopartículas contendo os fotossensibilizadores (FS) Azul de Metileno (AM) e Tionina. AM e Tionina foram incorporados nas nanopartículas sil-AM e sil-Tio pelo processo sol-gel. Nas nanopartículas Cab-Tio, Tionina foi ligada à superfície de sílica CabOsil® através de ligação covalente com reagentes bifuncionais. Todas as nanopartículas mostraram-se esféricas e com de diâmetro médio na faixa de 30 a 60nm. A imobilização dos FS induziu a agregação destes em extensões diferentes para cada tipo de nanopartícula. Foi observado que a maior presença de dímeros de FS leva à menor eficiência de geração de 1O2. Constatou-se que as nanopartículas sofrem pouca influência do meio, uma vez que os FS a elas ligadas não sofreram redução química por NADPH, nem supressão do estado tripleto por íons ascorbato e a supressão de fluorescência por íon brometo foi diminuída. Foi testado também o efeito do recobrimento destas nanopartículas com lipídios dioleilfosfatidil colina (DOPC) e fosfatidilglicerol (PG) e com Polietileno glicol (PEG). A adsorção das nanopartículas sobre membranas miméticas foi reduzida após os recobrimentos, resultado que foi explicado pelas interações de carga superficial (potencial zeta) e pela força de hidratação. As nanopartículas sil-AM e Cab-Tio apresentaram fototoxicidades in vitro, 38% e 20% maiores que os respectivos FS livres. A modificação das nanopartículas de sil-AM com lipídios e com PEG diminuiu a fototoxicidade das mesmas e no caso do recobrimento com lipídios levou ao aumento da toxicidade no escuro. Imagens de microscopia confocal mostraram que as nanopartículas com e sem recobrimento de lipídios entram em células B16. No caso das nanopartículas recobertas, observou-se um perfil de distribuição difuso por todo o citoplasma e no caso de nanopartículas sem recobrimento, estas encontraram-se em poucas regiões vacuolares do citoplasma. O perfil de distribuição homogênea por todo o citoplasma no caso de nanopartículas recobertas com lipídios pode ser o responsável pelo aumento de toxicidade no escuro. Concluiu-se que a ligação dos FS em nanopartículas com diferentes graus de agregação pode ser uma estratégia para obtenção de sistemas com capacidade modulada de geração de 1O2 e com reduzida susceptibilidade às composições do meio. As atividades fototóxicas das nanopartículas contra células B16 mostraram que estas podem ser úteis em Terapia Fotodinâmica de Câncer / In this work we present the synthesis and the characterization (structural, photophysical, photochemical and photobiological) of nanoparticles with incorporated photosensitizers (PS) Methylene Blue (MB) and Thionin. MB and Thionin were incorporated in sil-MB and sil-Th nanoparticles through sol-gel process. In the case of Cab-Th nanoparticles Thionin was linked to the surface of CabOsil® nanoparticles through cross-linking reactions. All nanoparticles were spherical and presented average diameter in the range of 30 to 60nm. Different extension of PS aggregation was observed in each nanoparticle. It was characterized that the higher the proportion of dimers to monomers the smaller the efficiency of singlet oxygen (1O2) generation. It was shown that nanoparticles can protect PS from external interferences, since NADPH did not reduce them, neither were their triplet state quenched by ascorbate ions. Besides, fluorescence quenching by bromide ions was reduced compared to free PS. The effect of covering the nanoparticles with lipids, i.e., di-oleil phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and with Polyethylene glycol was also tested. The nanoparticle adsorption over membrane mimics was reduced, which was explained by the interaction among surface charges (zeta potential) and by hydration forces. Sil-MB and Cab-Th nanoparticles presented in vitro phototoxicity 38% and 20% higher than the respective free PS. It was observed that the nanoparticle coating with lipids and with PEG reduced their photoxicity. Nanoparticles coated with lipids showed higher toxicity in the dark. Confocal fluorescence images of B16 cells showed that nanoparticles with or without lipid coating enter the cells. In the case of lipid-coated nanoparticles a diffuse distribution profile was observed and in the case of nanoparticles without coating, they concentrated in specific vacuolar regions of the cytoplasm. The homogeneous cytoplasmic distribution profile of lipid-coated nanoparticles can explain the increased toxicity in the dark. It has been concluded that immobilization of PS with different aggregation degrees is a strategy to obtain systems in which the modulated efficiency of 1O2 generation is not affected by the external medium. Finally, based on the observed in vitro phototoxicity activity against B16 cells, these systems can be useful in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer

Le rétinoblastome est une tumeur maligne de la rétine qui touche essentiellement les nourrissons et jeunes enfants. Sa prise en charge est associée à la survenue d’effets secondaires sévères, certains traitements induisant le développement de tumeurs secondaires. Dans ce contexte, la thérapie photodynamique (PDT) apparaît comme une alternative prometteuse, car elle est non mutagène et génère des effets secondaires moins importants. Elle consiste à injecter un agent photosensibilisateur (PS) - une porphyrine par exemple – puis à illuminer la zone tumorale avec un laser. L'efficacité de la PDT nécessite l'accumulation de PS dans la tumeur. Cependant, la plupart des porphyrines sont hydrophobes et s'agrègent en milieu aqueux. Leur incorporation dans un nano-vecteur peut améliorer leur distribution au cytoplasme. Malheureusement, lorsqu'elles sont encapsulées dans le cœur des nanoparticules, les molécules de PS perdent leur phototoxicité en raison de leur auto-extinction. Dans ce travail, nous avons conçu des lipo-nanoparticules biodégradables (LNP) constituées d'une nanoparticule (NP) de poly (D,L)-lactide (PLA) recouverte d'une bicouche de phospholipides (POPC-DOTAP). Un principe actif anticancéreux, la bêta-lapachone et un agent photosensibilisateur ont ensuite été co-encapsulés dans notre système en vue de favoriser un effet synergique sur le rétinoblastome. Nous avons démontré la formation effective des LNPs et leur internalisation dans les cellules de rétinoblastome en quelques heures.Enfin, nous avons démontré une amélioration de l'activité antitumorale en combinant les deux traitement dans notre système par rapport au traitement simple par PDT ou chimiothérapie. / Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the retina in infants. Conventional therapies are associated to severe side effects and some of them induce secondary tumors. Therefore, photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears as a promising alternative as it is non-mutagenic and generates minimal side effects. It consists in injection of a photosensitizer (PS) like a porphyrin, and then illumination of the tumor area with a laser. The effectiveness of PDT requires the accumulation of the PS in the tumor. However, most porphyrins are hydrophobic and aggregate in aqueous medium. Their incorporation into a nanocarrier may improve their delivery to the cytoplasm. Unfortunately, when incorporated into a nanoparticle core, PS molecules lose their phototoxicity due to self-quenching. In this work, we have designed biodegradable liponanoparticles (LNPs) consisting of a poly(D,L)-lactide (PLA) nanoparticle (NP) coated with a phospholipid (POPC/DOTAP) bilayer. An anticancer drug, beta-lapachone (β-Lap), and a photosensitizer were then co-encapsulated in these LNPs for achieving synergistic effect on retinoblastoma. We have first demonstrated the effective formation of the LNPs and their internalization in retinoblastoma cells within few hours. Then we studied the cyto/phototoxicity of the system.The hybrid nanoparticles showed an improved antitumor activity when the PS and β-Lap were combined, compared to the single treatment by PDT or chemotherapy.

Le cancer colorectal (CCR) est l’un des cancers les plus diagnostiqués dans le monde mais surtout le 2ème cancerle plus mortel. Malgré les progrès de la recherche médicale dans les traitements anticancéreux, de nombreux effetssecondaires subsistent chez les patients ainsi que l’apparition de résistances aux traitements conventionnels. Ledéveloppement de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques anticancéreuses est donc nécessaire afin d’améliorer la priseen charge de ces patients. La thérapie photodynamique (PDT) utilisant des photosensibilisateurs (PS) se présentecomme une stratégie thérapeutique innovante limitant fortement ces effets secondaires indésirables. La PDT a étéapprouvée pour le traitement de certains cancers grâce à la génération d’espèces réactives de l’oxygènecytotoxiques uniquement après photoactivation des PS. Cependant, une faible solubilité et un manque de sélectivitédes PS vis à vis des sites tumoraux sont les principales limites en clinique. En effet, l’administration ciblée demédicaments est un point essentiel dans la thérapie anticancéreuse. La nanomédecine par l’utilisation denanoparticules permet d’améliorer le ciblage tumoral car elles sont capables de s’accumuler spontanément dansles tumeurs solides grâce à l’effet de perméabilité et de rétention accrue. L’objectif de cette étude a été dedémontrer l’intérêt de la vectorisation de la 5-(4-hydroxyphényl)-10,15,20-triphénylporphyrine-xylane (TPPOHX)sur des nanoparticules de silice (SNPs) afin d’augmenter l’efficacité anticancéreuse par un meilleur ciblagetumoral du traitement. Il a été démontré une augmentation significative de l’efficacité anticancéreuse des TPPOHXSNPs-PDT grâce à l’amélioration de l’internalisation cellulaire par rapport à la TPPOH libre-PDT sur 3 lignéescellulaires de CCR humain. De plus, il a été caractérisé que la mort cellulaire induite par les TPPOH-X SNPs-PDTest dépendante de la voie apoptotique et que l’autophagie joue un rôle de résistance à la mort cellulaire. Par ailleurs,in vivo et en l’absence de toxicité, les TPPOH-X SNPs-PDT induisent une augmentation de l’efficacitéanticancéreuse grâce à un meilleur ciblage tumoral par rapport à la TPPOH libre-PDT. Cette étude a donc permisde démontrer l’intérêt de la combinaison de la PDT et de la nanomédecine afin d’améliorer les futurs traitementsanticancéreux. / Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer globally but above all the second leading cause ofdeath for oncological reasons. Despite medical research advances in anti-cancer treatments, many side effectspersist in patients as well as development of resistances to conventional treatments. The development of new anticancertherapeutic strategies is necessary in order to improve care of patients. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) usingphotosensitizers (PS) comes as an innovative therapeutic strategy severely restricting these undesirable sideeffects. PDT has been approved for treatment of some cancers due to the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygenspecies only with photoactivated PS. However, low physiological solubility and lack of selectivity towards tumorsites are the main limitations of their clinical use. Indeed, targeted drug delivery is a crucial point in cancer therapy.Nanomedicine through the use of nanoparticles improves tumor-targeting because they are able to spontaneouslyaccumulate in solid tumors through an enhanced permeability and retention effect. The purpose of this study wasto prove added value of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin-xylan (TPPOH-X) vectorization bysilica nanoparticles (SNPs) in order to enhance anti-cancer efficacy through better tumor-targeting. It has beendemonstrated significant anti-cancer efficacy increase of TPPOH-X SNPs-PDT thanks to cellular uptakeimprovement relative to free TPPOH-PDT in 3 human CRC cell lines. Moreover, it has been characterized thatcell death induced by TPPOH-X SNPs-PDT is conducted via apoptosis and autophagy acts as a resistance pathwayto cell death. Furthermore, in vivo and without toxicity, TPPOH-X SNPs-PDT induce an elevated anti-cancerefficacy through improvement of tumor-targeting compared to free TPPOH-PDT. This study therefore highlightedthe added value of PDT and nanomedicine combination in order to improve future cancer treatments.

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit abordent l’étude de deux familles distinctes de molécules photoactivables induisant des processus biologiques différents sous excitation 2-photon : les triphénylamines (TPAs) et les Nanotriggers de deuxième génération (NTs). Les TPAs présentent un grand intérêt pour la thérapie photodynamique (PDT) 2-photon, grâce à leur section efficace d’absorption 2-photon élevées (325-764 GM) et leur capacité à induire la mort cellulaire, médiée par la production d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS) sous excitation 1- ou 2-photon. De plus, leur forte fluorescence permet d’imager la mort cellulaire grâce à un comportement singulier dans les cellules : les TPAs sont initialement localisés dans le cytoplasme des cellules vivantes, principalement au niveau mitochondrial, mais se re-localisent dans le noyau des cellules en apoptose. Les NTs de deuxième génération ont été conçus suivant le modèle de NT1, le premier Nanotrigger synthétisé. Leur structure générale a été conceptualisée pour se fixer à la protéine NO synthase (NOS) et générer un potentiel redox élevé uniquement sous excitation lumineuse, initiant ainsi un transfert d’électron à travers la NOS aboutissant à une production de NO. Les structures chimiques des sept molécules nouvellement synthétisées diffèrent à plusieurs niveaux. Cette étude a permis d’identifier, parmi les sept NT de deuxième génération, deux molécules ayant la capacité de pénétrer dans les cellules endothéliales, de cibler la eNOS et d’initier le transfert d’électron à travers la eNOS sous excitation 1- ou 2-photon. Les expériences réalisées au cours de cette thèse sur les deux familles de composés, ont également permis de mettre en évidence les relations entre la structure des molécules et les différents mécanismes induits par leur photo-activation. / The presented works in this manuscript approach the study of two distinct families of photoactivatable molecules that induce different biological processes under 2-photon excitation : triphenylamines (TPAs) and second generation Nanotriggers (NTs). TPAs present a great interest for 2-photon photodynamic therapy (PDT), thanks to their high 2-photon absorption cross-sections (325-764 GM) and their ability to induce cell death mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under 1- or 2-photon excitation. Moreover, their high fluorescence allows the imaging of cell death due to their particular behaviour in cells: TPAs initially localize in the cytoplasm of living cells, but translocate to the nucleus of apoptotic cells. Second generation NTs were designed based on the model of NT1, the first synthesized Nanotrigger. Their general structure has been designed to bind to the NO Synthase protein (NOS) and generate a high redox potential under excitation only, leading to the initiation of the electron flow through the protein and resulting in NO production. The chemical structures of the seven newly synthesized molecules differ on many levels. This study has identified, among the seven second generation NTs, two molecules which are able to penetrate in endothelial cells, target eNOS and initiate the electron transfer at the eNOS level under 1- or 2-photon excitation. The experiments presented in this thesis allowed to establish structure-activity relationships for each compound family regarding the different mechanisms induced by their photoactivation.

Assessment of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy The presented postgraduate thesis deals with the issue of macular edema based on central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and the current possibilities of therapeutic solution of this disease. Although in most cases central serous chorioretinopathy does not belong to frequent and vision-threatening diseases, it can, especially its chronic form, lead to impaired vision. The aim of the theoretical part of this work is to characterize this chorioretinal disease and describe the basic principles of treatment. The work also describes the pathogenesis of CSC, the examination methods, the up-to-date accepted CSC classification and the therapeutic modalities of the treatment of the disease. The clinical part of this work is a prospective study of 52 patients (54 eyes), aged 30- 75, with chronic form of central serous chorioretinopathy treated at the Eye Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and Military University Hospital Prague in the years 2012 to 2018. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the anatomical and functional results of the treatment of 54 eyes with chronic form of central serous chorioretinopathy using photodynamic therapy in a reduced (half) dosing...

No description available.

<p>Approximately 50% of all cancer patients undergo radiotherapy (RT) as part of their treatment regimen. However, the development of genetic mutations can severely impair cell death arising from radiation-induced DNA damage, leading to cancer recurrence and poor disease prognosis after treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers an alternative approach to induce localized cancer cell death by damaging the cell and organelle membranes instead of relying on DNA damage. Yet, its clinical application is typically limited to surface-level lesions due to the poor tissue-penetration properties of visible light photons, which are required as an activation source.</p><p>Herein, we report the usage of calcium tungstate nanoparticles (CWO NPs) as energy transducers for potentiating PDT using X-ray photons from RT as the activation source. CWO NPs undergo “radioluminescence” wherein they can absorb incident high energy X-ray photons and emit lower energy UV-A and blue photons. Therefore, by intratumorally administering NPs, visible light photons can be generated <i>in situ</i> during RT. Since X-ray photons can penetrate tissue more efficiently than visible light photons, this strategy addresses the limitations of both RT and PDT.</p><p>Firstly, we demonstrate the compatibility of CWO NPs as energy transducers for activating two different photosensitizers: bilirubin (BR) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). In the case of bilirubin, we conjugated it with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to form amphiphilic chains that self-assembled to encapsulate CWO NPs. For PPIX, CWO NPs were formulated by encapsulating them with poly(ethylene glycol-b-D,L-lactic acid) block copolymer (PEG-PLA/CWO NPs), while systemically delivering PPIX through its hydrophilic prodrug 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In both scenarios, mechanistic studies revealed that X-ray irradiated CWO NPs generated sufficient blue light photons <i>in situ </i>to activate photosensitizers. This yielded significant improvement in cell-killing effects compared to RT alone, as demonstrated by clonogenic assays conducted in radio-resistant 4T1 and HN31 cell lines. The inherent non-toxicity of both formulations was also demonstrated through MTT assays. <i>In vivo</i> efficacy studies using intratumorally administered NPs demonstrated a significant improvement in tumor growth control and mouse survival compared to conventional RT treatments.</p><p>These studies highlight the potential of RT-PDT in achieving enhanced local tumor control. However, a notable limitation of this approach is its inability to effectively treat metastatic lesions. To address this challenge, recent research has explored the combination of RT-PDT with immune checkpoint inhibition, particularly targeting indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) to induce systemic abscopal responses. To investigate this idea, we conducted efficacy studies in mice upon simultaneous treatment with Epacadostat, a small molecule IDO inhibitor. Although some improvement in tumor control and survival was observed across two separate studies, these results did not reach statistical significance. Consequently, further optimization of treatment schedules and immune checkpoint inhibitor delivery is necessary to obtain a more conclusive understanding of the compatibility of these treatment modalities.</p><p>Next, computed tomography (CT) imaging studies revealed that the current formulation of PEG-PLA/CWO NPs exhibits limited spreading in collagen-dense tumors like 4T1 when administered intratumorally. To overcome this, a modified formulation was developed by surface-functionalization with collagenase (Col-PEG-PLA/CWO NPs) to degrade collagen within tumors. The results suggest approximately 2.4× improvement in intratumoral spreading volume relative to non-functionalized NPs. In the context of RT-PDT, this could imply significantly improved illumination of the tumor volume.</p><p>Lastly, one limitation of the current platform design is the requirement of intratumoral administration to deliver NPs. When administered systemically, less than 1% of NPs passively accumulate in the tumor. To address this, NPs were loaded into chimeric antigen receptor-functionalized neutrophils (CAR-neutrophils) differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells. Specifically, the receptors were modified with chlorotoxin peptide which is capable of selectively targeting glioblastomas. The results presented in this study demonstrate the optimal conditions for uptake of NPs by CAR-neutrophils. Furthermore, purification steps to separate NP-loaded CAR-neutrophils from unloaded NPs are described.</p><p>In summary, these studies describe the development and biological evaluation of two distinct NP platforms for RT-PDT. However, a few key limitations currently hinder the clinical translation of these technologies, including the inability to treat metastases, poor intratumoral spreading, and the need for intratumoral injections. Preliminary solutions have been identified for each of these challenges, providing a foundation for future investigations.</p>

No description available.

This thesis is divided into two parts.Part I describes the organic extraction, separation, and liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of chromophores from human and bovine retinal pigment epithelium. Flurorophores in the retinal pigment epithelium have been implicated in age related macular degeneration. In addition, the synthesis and characterization of a number of bis-retinoid type compounds that may potentially be found in such extracts, or that may be used for insight into pyridinium bis-retinoid reactivity, was accomplished.Part II describes a study of pyridinium bis-retinoid-folic acid coupling with respect to linker type, linker length, and nature of the linkage. Folic acid has been used as a targeting compound for a variety of cancer types. Development of HPLC and UV-Vis conditions suitable for the analysis of this new type of macromolecule was performed.