Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
08:47

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Published on: March 5, 2018

9.5K

Involvement of Bim in Photofrin-mediated photodynamically induced apoptosis

Xianwang Wang1, Xiaobing He, Shujuan Hu

  • 1Laboratory of Neuronal Network and Brain Diseases Modulation, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry : International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
|March 21, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) plays a role in photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Inhibiting Bim protected cells from PDT, suggesting Bim enhancement could be a cancer treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Death Research

Background:

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive cancer treatment.
  • Bcl-2 family proteins are crucial in PDT-induced apoptosis.
  • The role of Bim in PDT-induced apoptosis was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Bim on Photofrin photodynamic treatment (PPT)-induced apoptosis.
  • To determine if Bim is involved in PPT-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring Bim/Bax translocation using laser confocal microscopy.
  • Assessing Bim protein and activated caspase-3 levels via western blot.
  • Measuring caspase-3 activity and apoptosis induction using various staining and flow cytometry techniques.
  • Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) to determine Bim's effect on PPT-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • PPT induced BimL translocation to mitochondria, similar to Bax activation.
  • PPT increased Bim and activated caspase-3 levels.
  • Knockdown of Bim significantly reduced caspase-3 activity and suppressed PPT-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Bim is involved in PPT-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.
  • Enhancing Bim activity may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for human cancers.

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy04:53

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy

Published on: August 17, 2018

9.5K
An In-House-Built and Light-Emitting-Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy Device for Enhancing Verteporfin Cytotoxicity in a 2D Cell Culture Model11:04

An In-House-Built and Light-Emitting-Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy Device for Enhancing Verteporfin Cytotoxicity in a 2D Cell Culture Model

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.9K

Related Concept Videos

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
9.3K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
9.4K