FosPeg® PDT alters the EBV miRNAs and LMP1 protein expression in EBV positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

• FosPeg® is effective to EBV positive and EBV negative NPC cells by inducing apoptosis.
• FosPeg® could suppress the expression of miRNAs BART 1-5p, BART 16 and BART 17-5p.
• FosPeg® could induce LMP1 mRNA and protein expression in EBV positive c666-1 cells.
• EBV-miRNAs, LMP1 mRNA and protein could be potential therapeutic markers for NPC cells.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the top ten cancers highly prevalent in Hong Kong and South China. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection contributes to the tumorigenesis of NPC through the expression of different viral proteins. Among these, Latent Membrane Protein 1(LMP1) is the major oncoprotein expressed by EBV. Foscan® (Biolitec AG), m-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC)-based photosensitizing drug, has been used in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) for head and neck cancers. FosPeg® (Biolitec AG) is a new formulation of mTHPC contained in PEGylated liposomes with optimized distribution properties. In this in vitro study, the potential of FosPeg®-PDT on human EBV positive NPC cell (c666-1) and EBV negative cells (HK1 and CNE2) were investigated. Effects of FosPeg®-PDT on the expression of EBV BART miRNAs (EBV miRNA BART 1-5p, BART 16, and BART 17-5p), LMP1 mRNA and proteins on c666-1 cells were also elucidated.The killing efficacy of FosPeg®-PDT on NPC cells were determined by MTT assay after LED activation. Effects of FosPeg®-PDT on the expression of LMP1 mRNA and protein were examined by real time PCR and western blot analysis.FosPeg®-PDT demonstrated its antitumor effect on c666-1 cells in a drug and light dose dependent manner. LD30, LD50 and LD70 were achieved by applying LED activation (3 J/cm2) at 4 h post incubated cells with 0.05 μg/ml, 0.07 μg/ml and 0.3 μg/ml FosPeg®, respectively. Up-regulation of both LMP1 mRNA and protein were observed after FosPeg®-PDT in a dose dependent manner.FosPeg®-PDT exerted antitumor effect on c666-1 cells through up-regulation of LMP1 protein. Understanding the mechanism of FosPeg®-PDT may help to develop better strategies for the treatment of NPC.