Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gradually becoming an alternative method in the treatment of several diseases. Here, we investigated the role of oxygen in photodynamically treated cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The effect of PDT on HeLa cells was assessed by exposing cultured cells to disulphonated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcS2) and tetrasulphonated zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPPS4). Fluorescence microscopy revealed their different localizations within the cells. ZnTPPS4 seems to be mostly limited to the cytosol and lysosomes, whereas ZnPcS2 is most likely predominantly attached to membrane structures, including plasmalemma and the mitochondrial membrane. Phototoxicity assays of PDT-treated cells carried out under different partial pressures of oxygen showed dose-dependent responses. Interestingly, ZnPcS2 was also photodynamically effective at a minimal level of oxygen, under a nitrogen atmosphere. On the other hand, hyperbaric oxygenation did not lead to a higher PDT efficiency of either photosensitizer. Although both photosensitizers can induce a significant drop in mitochondrial membrane potential, ZnPcS2 has a markedly higher effect on mitochondrial respiration that was completely blocked after two short light cycles. In conclusion, our observations suggest that PDT can be effective even in hypoxic conditions if a suitable sensitizer is chosen, such as ZnPcS2, which can inhibit mitochondrial respiration.

Department of Inorganic Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Hlavova 2030 128 43 Prague 2 Czech Republic

Department of Medical Biophysics Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University in Olomouc Hnevotinska 3 775 15 Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University in Olomouc Hnevotinska 3 775 15 Olomouc Czech Republic

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences v v i Husinec Rez 1001 250 68 Rez Czech Republic

Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University in Olomouc Hnevotinska 3 775 15 Olomouc Czech Republic

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