Direct observation of singlet oxygen phosphorescence at 1270 nm from L1210 leukemia cells exposed to polyporphyrin and light.

Near-infrared emission (1170-1475 nm) was studied from L1210 leukemia cells incubated with polyporphyrin (fractionated hematoporphyrin derivative), suspended in deuterium oxide buffer, and then exposed to light. Following pulsed laser excitation, the near-infrared emission decayed in two phases. The first phase of the emission (0-2 microseconds) was principally due to polyporphyrin fluorescence. The second phase of the emission (20-90 microseconds) was due mainly to singlet oxygen. Evidence supporting the assignment of the second phase emission to singlet oxygen included a spectral analysis showing a peak near 1270 nm and reductions in the second phase emission caused by the singlet oxygen quenchers, histidine, carnosine, and water. The second phase emission decayed in a biexponential manner with lifetimes of 4.5 +/- 0.5 and 49 +/- 4 microseconds. Most of the singlet oxygen in the second phase emission was likely due to singlet oxygen that was generated near the surface of the L1210 leukemia cells and then diffused into the deuterium oxide buffer. Direct measurements of singlet oxygen phosphorescence at 1270 nm may prove to be a useful analytical technique for studying photochemical generation of singlet oxygen in cultured cells.