Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Assessing Autophagic Flux by Measuring LC3, p62, and LAMP1 Co-localization Using Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
11:39

Assessing Autophagic Flux by Measuring LC3, p62, and LAMP1 Co-localization Using Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry

Published on: July 21, 2017

Nanoparticle-induced photocatalytic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell death is associated with autophagy

Stephan Hackenberg1, Agmal Scherzed, Antje Gohla

  • 1Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Germany.

Nanomedicine (London, England)
|June 5, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) combined with UVA-1 irradiation induce photocatalytic cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Autophagy plays a dual role, mediating survival or cell death depending on the treatment specifics.

Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Photocatalysis
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a significant health challenge.
  • Developing novel therapeutic strategies for HNSCC is crucial.
  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) show potential in cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of photocatalytic cell death in HNSCC induced by ZnO-NPs.
  • To investigate the role of autophagy in ZnO-NP-mediated photodynamic therapy.

Main Methods:

  • FaDu cells (HNSCC-derived) were treated with ZnO-NPs and UVA-1 irradiation.
  • Cytotoxicity assessed via MTT assay and Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining.
  • Autophagy markers (autophagosome accumulation, LC3-I/II conversion) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were quantified.

Main Results:

  • ZnO-NPs and UVA-1 induced apoptosis-independent cytotoxicity.
  • Combined treatment significantly increased autophagosome formation, LC3-II levels, and ROS generation.
  • Autophagy appeared to promote cell survival under individual treatments but mediated cell death under combined photocatalytic treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Photocatalytic treatment with ZnO-NPs and UVA-1 triggers HNSCC cell death.
  • Autophagy's role in HNSCC viability is context-dependent, influenced by the photocatalytic trigger.
  • These findings offer insights into nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy for HNSCC.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Analysis of Autophagy using Advanced 3D Fluorescence Microscopy09:59

Quantitative Analysis of Autophagy using Advanced 3D Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: May 3, 2013

siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells09:10

siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Published on: October 28, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...