Red-light light-emitting diode irradiation increases the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by using red-light light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation.


BACKGROUND
Low-level light irradiation (LLLI) has been shown to enhance proliferation and cytokine secretion of a number of cells. MSCs are capable of regenerating various mesenchymal tissues and are essential in supporting the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells within the bone marrow.


METHODS
Rat bone marrow MSCs were treated with single or multiple doses of LLLI from an LED array (630 nm) at the irradiances of 5 and 15 mW/cm(2), and radiant exposures of 2 and 4 J/cm(2). The proliferation, clonogenic potential, and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs were evaluated after illumination.


RESULTS
The growth of MSCs was enhanced by red-light LLLI, and the effect became more obvious at low cell density. A single dose of LLLI led only to a short-term increase in MSCs proliferation. A maximal increase in cell proliferation was observed with multiple exposures of LLLI at 15 mW/cm(2) and 4 J/cm(2). The number of colony-forming unit fibroblasts increased when cells were illuminated under the optimal parameter. During osteogenesis, significant increases (p < 0.01) in both alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin expressions were found in the MSCs that received light irradiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrated that MSCs proliferation was enhanced by multiple exposures to LLLI from 630-nm LEDs, and cell growth depended on the plating density. Furthermore, multiple dose of LLLI could enhance the osteogenic potential of rat MSCs.
Li
Wen-Tyng
WT
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan, Republic of China. wtli@cycu.edu.tw
Leu
Yao-Chu
YC
Wu
Jia-Lung
JL
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar