Upconversion nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic therapy induces autophagy and cholesterol efflux of macrophage-derived foam cells via ROS generation.

ABSTRACT: Macrophage-derived foam cells are a major component of atherosclerotic plaques and have an important role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaques, thus posing a great threat to human health. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the effect of PDT mediated by upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles encapsulating chlorin e6 (UCNPs-Ce6) on the cholesterol efflux of THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells and explored the possible mechanism of this effect. First, we found that PDT notably enhanced the cholesterol efflux and the induction of autophagy in both THP-1 and peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and an ATG5 siRNA significantly attenuated PDT-induced autophagy, which subs

SUBMITTER: Han XB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5520901 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature