Issue 27, 2024

The effect of light irradiation on a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin complex in the induced death of lung cancer cells in two- and three-dimensional cultures: Insights into the effect of nitric oxide

Abstract

Efforts to find compounds selectively affecting cancer cells while sparing normal ones have continued to grow. Nitric oxide (NO) is critical in physiology and pathology, including cancer. It influences cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The intricate interaction of NO with cancer cells offers innovative treatment possibilities, but its effects can vary by concentration and site. Ruthenium complexes capable of releasing NO upon stimulation show for this purpose. These versatile compounds can also enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-activated approach, which induces cellular damage. Ruthenium-based photosensitizers (PSs), delivering NO and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), offer a novel strategy for improved cancer treatments. In this study, a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin conjugate: {TPyP[Ru(NO2)(bpy)2]4}(PF6)4, designated RuNO2TPyP, which releases NO upon irradiation, was investigated for its effects on lung cells (non-tumor MRC-5 and tumor A549) in 2D and 3D cell cultures. The findings suggest that this complex has potential for PDT treatment in lung cancer, as it exhibits photocytotoxicity at low concentrations without causing cytotoxicity to normal lung cells. Moreover, treatment of cells with RuNO2TPyP followed by light irradiation (4 J cm−2) can induce apoptosis, generate ROS, promote intracellular NO formation, and has anti-migratory effects. Additionally, the complex can modify tumor cell structures and induce photocytotoxicity and apoptosis in a 3D culture. These outcomes are attributed to the internalization of the complex and its subsequent activation upon light irradiation, resulting in NO release and singlet oxygen production.

Graphical abstract: The effect of light irradiation on a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin complex in the induced death of lung cancer cells in two- and three-dimensional cultures: Insights into the effect of nitric oxide

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 2月 2024
Accepted
07 4月 2024
First published
17 4月 2024

Dalton Trans., 2024,53, 11264-11275

The effect of light irradiation on a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin complex in the induced death of lung cancer cells in two- and three-dimensional cultures: Insights into the effect of nitric oxide

A. B. Becceneri, M. T. Martin, A. E. Graminha, M. R. Cominetti, P. C. Ford and R. Santana da Silva, Dalton Trans., 2024, 53, 11264 DOI: 10.1039/D4DT00381K

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements