Abstract
BackgroundNeurodegenerative diseases are the result of irreversible damage in the neuronal cells by effecting vital functions temporarily or even permanently. The use of light for the treatment of these diseases is an emerging promising innovative method. Photobiomodulation (PBM) and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) are the modalities that have a wide range of use in medicine and have opposite purposes, biostimulation and cell death respectively. MethodsIn this study, we aimed to compare these two modalities (PDT and PBM) at low-level intensities and create a stimulatory effect on the differentiation of PC12 cells. Three different energy densities (1, 3, and 5 J/cm2) were used in PBM and Chlorin e6-mediated PDT applications upon irradiation with 655-nm laser light. The light-induced differentiation profile of PC12 cells was analyzed by morphological examinations, qRT-PCR, cell viability assay, and some mechanistic approaches such as; the analysis of intracellular ROS production, NO release, and mitochondrial membrane potential change. ResultsIt has been observed that both of these modalities were successful at neural cell differentiation. PBM at 1 J/cm2 and low-dose PDT at 3 J/cm2 energy densities provided the best differentiation profiles which were proved by the over-expressions of SYN-1 and GAP43 genes. It was also observed that intracellular ROS production and NO release had pivotal roles in these mechanisms with more cell differentiation obtained especially in low-dose PDT application. ConclusionIt can be concluded that light-induced mechanisms with properly optimized light parameters have the capacity for neural cell regeneration and thus, can be a successful treatment for incurable neurodegenerative diseases.
Highlights
The treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia is still controversial and even not possible
The data of the cell metabolic activities obtained from MTT analysis showed in Fig. 2 that none of these 6 concentrations exhibited a cytotoxic effect on PC12 cells
It was assumed that these low concentrations of chlorin e6 (Ce6) might induce cellular stress on cells which in turn resulted in the stimulation of cell survival mechanisms and ended up with cell proliferation [17]
Summary
The treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia is still controversial and even not possible. Yang and colleagues reported that the application of near-infrared light on neuroprogenitor cells increased cortical neurogenesis and synaptogenesis by improving the neuronal microenvironment [4]. There are several in vivo studies that reported the effects of various wavelengths through the mechanism of PBM with great improvements on the function of the different brain structures [6, 7]. These findings increase the hope that light can stimulate neuronal cells to reproduce and regenerate as a treatment tool for diseases that result from neuronal cell loss
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