Abstract:

Objective To compare the absorption characteristics of HMME by a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line ECV 304 versus a human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Methods Exponentially growing ECV304 and HaCaT cells were incubated with various concentrations （50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L） of HMME for 16 h or HMME of 150 mg/L for various durations （15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h）. The quantity of HMME absorbed by the cells were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy （LSCM）. Results The fluorescence intensity was 74.00, 125.57, 135.24, 141.99 and 132.09 for ECV304 cells, 93.88, 102.45, 112.59, 108.23 and 104.70 for HaCaT cells, after incubation with HMME of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L, respectively. After treated with HMME of 150 mg/L for 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h, ECV304 cells showed a fluorescence intensity of 95.07, 103.97, 105.96, 108.99, 112.93, 115.36 and 122.91, respectively, and HaCaT cells displayed a fluorescence intensity of 104.25, 106.60, 108.72, 113.75, 117.66, 114.90 and 118.14, respectively. Conculsions Within a defined range of concentration and duration, the absorption of HMME by both ECV304 and HaCaT cells is, to some extent, concentration- and time-dependent.

Key words: Photodynamic therapy