Photoinduced cytotoxic effect of fullerenes C60 on transformed T-lymphocytes.

Aim: To estimate the viability of normal and transformed T-lymphocytes after UV/Vis irradiation in the presence of pristine fullerenes C(60).

Methods: Thymocytes were isolated from Wistar rats' thymus. Murine leukemia L1210 and human lymphoma Jurkat cells were used in this study. Mercury-vapor lamp was used for fullerenes C(60) photoexcitation. Cytotoxicity was etermined by MTT assay. Changes in cell morphology were monitored by phase-contrast light microscopy.

Results: fullerenes C(60) exhibit cytotoxic effect against transformed T-lymphocytes when combined with UV/Vis irradiation (320-600 nm). Photoinduced effect was enhanced with the increasing of irradiation time period and C(60) concentration, cell death was registered after 24 hours incubation. Fullerenes C(60) photocytotoxicity against normal T-lymphocytes (thymocytes) was not observed.

Conclusion: The present study suggests that pristine fullerenes C(60) have the potential to be an effective photosensitizer and exhibit cytotoxic effect on transformed T-cells in vitro .