Photoinactivation of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus by hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) particles that remain in the blood of patients are frequently ignored as targets for AIDS treatment. We therefore investigated the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) as a means of inactivating cell-free HIV in vitro. Virus particles including HIV-1IIIB, resistant HIV-1 variants, HIV-1 clinical variants, and HIV-2 variants were incubated with HMME for 40 min, followed by irradiation with a 630-nm semiconductor laser at an energy density of 0.3 J/cm2. The antiviral effects were evaluated by counting syncytium formation or measuring p24 antigen expression levels in supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships between photoinactivation and HMME concentrations, energy density, power density and antioxidants (NaN3 and d-mannitol) were also assessed using the above methods. All the tested virus particles were completely responsive to HMME-PDT. HMME concentration and energy density were positively correlated with photoinactivation of HIV, while power density was negatively correlated. Both sodium azide and d-mannitol weakened the inhibitory effect of PDT on virus-induced membrane fusion, with d-mannitol having a stronger effect. HMME-PDT can inactivate HIV particles, and may therefore represent a promising treatment for AIDS patients.

Photodynamic therapy targeting VCAM-1-expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells using a PpIX–VCAM-1 binding peptide–quantum dot conjugate

“…Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used for treating tumors on the surface of the skin or in body cavities, including tumors of the skin, head, and neck areas, as well as solid tumors that can be accessed with relative ease, such as tumors of the esophagus, lungs, larynx, and uterine cervix. [12][13][14] PDT has also been developed recently for application to non-solid tumors such as leukaemia, 15 and for AIDS 16 and infectious disease. 17 This therapeutic approach involves the administration of a tumor-localizing PS, by intravenous injection or external application, and the subsequent targeted activation of this PS by exposure to light of a specic wavelength.…”

Spectroscopic characterization and aggregation of azine compounds in different media

“…Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality not only applicable for the treatment of superficially localized tumors, but is also associated with the antiviral and bactericidal properties of dyes [2][3][4]. PDT can be defined as the systemical, local or topical administration of a nontoxic drug or dye known as photosensitizer (PS), which acquires the desired activity only when it is excited by light of an appropriate wavelength.…”

Preliminary Safety Evaluation of Photodynamic Therapy for Blood Purification: An Animal Study

“…The inactivating effect of PDT on HIV, HBV, and other blood‐borne pathogens in vitro has been confirmed. Our team also performed a series of cell experiments with HIV that verified the significant inactivating effect of PDT on various HIV subtypes and also on resistant mutant forms . Although experimental results in vitro suggest that PDT has great potential to inactivate viral blood pathogens, in vivo studies have not yet been reported.…”