AimTo investigate the effect of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on macrophage.MethodsFluorescence of HMME with different incubated time was tested.Confocal scanning laser microscope was used to investigate HMME subcellular distribution.The survival and apoptosis rate of macrophages were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometer.ResultsHMME was identified to accumulate in the cytoplasm of macrophages by confocal scanning laser microscope.The number of apoptotic macrophages increased slightly in the photodynamic therapy for 1.5 min group(5.82%±3.27%) at 12 h post irradiation (p<0.05), whereas increased significantly in the photodynamic therapy for 3 min group (65.45%±5.17%, p<0.001).ConclusionsHMME could accumulate in macrophages and HMME-mediaded PDT induced macrophage apoptosis.