Effect of 532nm photodynamic therapy with hemoporfin on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in cultured human vascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hemoporfin (hematoporphyrinmonomethyl ether, HMME) and 532 nm continuous-wave lasers is effective for port-wine stains (PWS) and is considered as a promising treatment modality. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in the development of PWS. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 532 nm-HMME-PDT on the in vitro expression of VEGF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to different power levels of 532 nm laser and different concentrations of HMME. METHOD: The CCK-8 assay was performed to assess cell viability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure VEGF secretion. VEGF and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Within 72 h after HMME-PDT, cell viability was inhibited, secretion and expression of VEGF was decreased, and expression of VEGFR mRNA was significantly decreased with the increase of HMME concentration. CONCLUSION: 532 nm-HMME-PDT can downregulate the expression of VEGF and VEGFR mRNA. Future studies are necessary to examine the HMME doses to achieve better efficacy with fewer adverse effects.