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Molecular Imaging and Biology

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01-07-2006 | Research Article

Evaluation of Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescence Mediated Photodynamic Toxicity in Cancer Cells

Authors: Meike L. Schipper, MD, PhD, Manishkumar R. Patel, BS, Sanjiv S. Gambhir, MD, PhD

Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology | Issue 4/2006

Abstract

Purpose

This work investigated whether fLuc-catalyzed oxidation of d-luciferin generates sufficient light to induce photodynamic toxicity in cancer cells.

Procedures

Light emission was assessed via cooled CCD (charge-coupled device) camera. Parental and fLuc expressing cancer cells were exposed to subtoxic concentrations of photosensitizers (Rose Bengal or hypericin) and d-luciferin, sunlight, or lamplight. Toxicity was assessed by MTT assay.

Results

fLuc expressing cells emitted up to 500-fold higher levels of photons than parental cell lines. Although exposure to photosensitizer and sunlight reduced survival of various cell lines, survival of fLuc expressing cells incubated with photosensitizer and d-luciferin, or photosensitizer and lamplight, did not differ significantly from parental or untreated cells.

Conclusions

Contesting recent reports, fLuc bioluminescence does not generate sufficient photons to induce Rose Bengal or hypericin photodynamic toxicity in a range of malignant and nonmalignant cell lines, and is not suitable as a generalizable approach to antineoplastic therapy.

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Title: Evaluation of Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescence Mediated Photodynamic Toxicity in Cancer Cells
Authors: Meike L. Schipper, MD, PhD
Manishkumar R. Patel, BS
Sanjiv S. Gambhir, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-07-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology / Issue 4/2006
Print ISSN: 1536-1632
Electronic ISSN: 1860-2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-006-0048-1

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Springer Medicine

Evaluation of Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescence Mediated Photodynamic Toxicity in Cancer Cells

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

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