Photodynamic therapy-mediated modulation of inflammatory cytokine production by Epstein-Barr virus-infected nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Cell Mol Immunol. 2010 Jul;7(4):323-6. doi: 10.1038/cmi.2010.4. Epub 2010 Mar 15.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study aims to examine the effects of EBV infection on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in NPC cells after the Zn-BC-AM photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment. Cells were treated with the photosensitiser Zn-BC-AM for 24 h before light irradiation. Quantitative ELISA was used to evaluate the production of cytokines. Under the same experimental condition, HK-1-EBV cells produced a higher basal level of IL-1alpha (1561 pg/ml), IL-1beta (16.6 pg/ml) and IL-8 (422.9 pg/ml) than the HK-1 cells. At the light dose of 0.25-0.5 J/cm(2), Zn-BC-AM PDT-treated HK-1-EBV cells were found to produce a higher level of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta than the HK-1 cells. The production of IL-1beta appeared to be mediated via the IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-independent pathway. In contrast, the production of angiogenic IL-8 was downregulated in both HK-1 and HK-1-EBV cells after Zn-BC-AM PDT. Our results suggest that Zn-BC-AM PDT might indirectly reduce tumour growth through the modulation of cytokine production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / drug effects
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Metalloporphyrins / therapeutic use
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / virology*
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Zn-BC-AM