Antioxidative cellular response of lepidopteran ovarian cells to photoactivated alpha-terthienyl

Area of Science:

• Insect toxicology
• Photodynamic therapy
• Cellular toxicology

Background:

• Photodynamic sensitizers offer an alternative for insect pest control.
• Understanding insect ovarian cell responses to photosensitizers is crucial for reproductive impact assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antioxidative responses of lepidopteran ovarian cells (Tn5B1-4 and Sf-21) to photoactivated alpha-terthienyl (PAT).
• To evaluate the cytotoxicity and cellular effects of PAT on these insect ovarian cell lines.

Main Methods:

• Exposure of Tn5B1-4 and Sf-21 cells to varying concentrations of PAT and UV-A irradiation.
• Measurement of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, SOD, CAT).
• Analysis of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction.

Main Results:

• PAT demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 3.36 μg/ml (Tn5B1-4) and 3.15 μg/ml (Sf-21).
• Increased PAT exposure and irradiation time elevated ROS and malondialdehyde levels, indicating oxidative stress.
• PAT significantly reduced POD, SOD, and CAT activities and induced cell cycle arrest (S phase for Tn5B1-4, G2/M for Sf-21).
• Apoptosis was observed in Tn5B1-4 cells, with persistent cytotoxicity post-irradiation.

Conclusions:

• Photoactivated PAT induces significant oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in lepidopteran ovarian cells.
• The study highlights differential antioxidative tolerance and cell cycle arrest patterns between Tn5B1-4 and Sf-21 cells.
• PAT's effects suggest potential applications in insect population control, warranting further investigation into its reproductive toxicity.