Med Lasers.  2020 Dec;9(2):134-141. 10.25289/ML.2020.9.2.134.

Effects of Photobiomodulation on Stem Cells Important for Regenerative Medicine

• Chang SY
• Carpena NT
• Kang BJ
• Lee MY

• KMID: 2533479
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2020.9.2.134

Abstract

The use of stem cell therapy to treat various diseases has become a promising approach. The ability of stem cells to self-renew and differentiate can contribute significantly to the success of regenerative medical treatments. In line with these expectations, there is a great need for an efficient research methodology to differentiate stem cells into their specific targets. Photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a relatively non-invasive technique that has a therapeutic effect on damaged tissue or cells. Recent advances in adapting PBM to stem cell therapy showed that stem cells and progenitor cells respond favorably to light. PBM stimulates different types of stem cells to enhance their migration, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes the effects of PBM on targeted differentiation across multiple stem cell lineages. The analytical expertise gained can help better understand the current state and the latest findings in PBM and stem cell therapy.

Keyword

Stem cell differentiation; Photobiomodulation; Low-level laser therapy; Regenerative application; Therapeutic effect