title: Near-Infrared Photobiomodulation in Retinal Injury and Disease.
abstract: Evidence is growing that exposure of tissue to low energy photon irradiation in the far-red (FR) to near-infrared (NIR) range of the spectrum, collectively termed "photobiomodulation" (PBM) can restore the function of damaged mitochondria, upregulate the production of cytoprotective factors and prevent apoptotic cell death. PBM has been applied clinically in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and acceleration of wound healing for more than 40 years. Recent studies have demonstrated that FR/NIR photons penetrate diseased tissues including the retina. The therapeutic effects of PBM have been hypothesized to result from intracellular signaling pathways triggered when FR/NIR photons are absorbed by the mitochondrial photoacceptor molecule, cytochrome c oxidase, culminating in improved mitochondrial energy metabolism, increased cytoprotective factor production and cell survival. Investigations in rodent models of methanol-induced ocular toxicity, light damage, retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration have demonstrated the PBM attenuates photoreceptor cell death, protects retinal function and exerts anti-inflammatory actions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2400 E. Hartford Ave., 53201, Milwaukee, WI, USA. jeells@uwm.edu.
authors.forename: Janis T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Eells
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 53201, Milwaukee, WI, USA. sandeep@uwm.edu.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gopalakrishnan
authors.affiliation: Divsion of Biomedical Sciences, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, 0200, Acton, Australia. krisztina.valter-kocsi@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Valter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D004596:Electroretinography; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D000432:Methanol / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D017785:Photons; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Light damage (LD); Macular degeneration; Methanol intoxication; Photobiomodulation (PBM); Retinitis pigmentosa