Augmentation of the expression of proangiogenic genes in cardiomyocytes with low dose laser irradiation in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Several reports suggest that low power red laser light (LPRLL) is capable of affecting cellular processes in the absence of significant thermal effect. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of LPRLL on proliferation of fetal cardiomyocytes in vitro and on the expression of proangiogenic genes, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).


METHODS
All cell cultures were irradiated with single-dose LPRLL using a He-Ne continuous wave laser (632 nm) with different doses. The effect of LPRLL on new DNA synthesis was studied by 3H thymidine-incorporation assay. VEGF and TGF-beta expression by cardiomyocytes was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
We observed that a dose-dependent increase in cardiomyocytes proliferation can be obtained with LPRLL and that there is a significant increase in VEGF and TGF-beta mRNA expression by cardiomyocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These data may have significant importance leading to the establishment of new methods for myocardial photoangiogenesis and photoregeneration as well as in vitro proliferation of cardiac myocytes.
Khanna
A
A
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Shankar
L R
LR
Keelan
M H
MH
Kornowski
R
R
Leon
M
M
Moses
J
J
Kipshidze
N
N
D001483:Base Sequence; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects; D006321:Heart / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors