Ca2+INFLUX INDUCED BY PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION IN HUMAN CEREBRAL GLIOMA (U-87 MG) CELLS: POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF A CALCIUM CHANNEL

Abstract

The plasma membrane has been implicated as a critical target of photodynamic action on cells. We have observed that the photosensitization of human cerebral glioma (U-87 MG) cells by hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) causes a large increase in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i. This increase in [Ca2+]i was solely due to the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the plasma membrane and showed a dependence on HpD concentration, light dose and concentration of calcium in the extracellular medium. The magnitude of the Ca2+ influx decreased with increasing postirradiation time, which suggests that the cell membrane partially recovers from the photodynamic injury. The photoinduced Ca2+ influx was inhibited by the Ca2+ channel blocker diltiazem and the reducing agent dithioerythritol. These findings are discussed in terms of possible activation of a Ca2+ channel as a result of photosensitization.