Photobiomodulation at 830 nm Stimulates Migration, Survival and Proliferation of Fibroblast Cells

Abstract

Purpose

Photobiomodulation (PBM) promotes diabetic wound healing by favoring cell survival and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the potential of PBM in stimulating cellular migration, viability, and proliferation using the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway.

Methods

The study explored the in vitro effects of near infrared (NIR) light on cell viability (survival) and proliferation as well as the presence of TGF-β1, phosphorylated TGF‐β receptor type I (pTGF-βR1) and phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic‐homolog (Smad)‐2/3 (p-Smad2/3) in different fibroblast cell models.

Results

Results show a significant increase in cellular migration in wounded models, and increased viability and proliferation in irradiated cells compared to their respective controls. An increase in the presence of TGF-β1 in the culture media, a reduction in pTGF-βR1 and a slight presence of p-Smad2/3 was observed in the cells.

Conclusion

These findings show that PBM at 830 nm using a fluence of 5 J/cm² could induce cell viability, migration and proliferation to favor successful healing of diabetic wounds. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the molecular and cellular effect of PBM and showcases the suitability of PBM at 830 nm in managing diabetic wounds.

Keywords:

• diabetic wound
• photobiomodulation
• wound healing
• hyperglycemia
• NIR light

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant No. 98337), as well as grants received from the University of Johannesburg (URC), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Laser Centre (NLC) Laser Rental Pool Program.