Apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle arrest following photodamage to mitochondrial interior

Cell death induced by oxidative insult targeted to mitochondrial interior of A431 cells was investigated. For stimulated production of ROS in the inner space of mitochondria, safranin-mediated photodynamic treatment (PDT) was employed. Another photosensitizer, mTHPC, which diffusely localizes to cellular membranes, was used for comparison. Cell response to the oxidative insult in mitochondrial interior was different from the response to the photodamage produced in cellular membranes. Autophagy and apoptotic features of cell death in response to mTHPC-PDT was observed in a wide range of PDT doses. Cell response to the oxidative stress in mitochondrial interior was dose-dependent. Damage up to CD50 did not reveal hallmarks of dead cells. At intermediate damage (CD50), cells manifested enhanced autophagy and reduced population of S-phase, but not apoptosis. Severe damage (beyond CD70) induced apoptosis following release of cytochrome c and caspase activation, in addition to autophagy and cell cycle arrest.