Green light emitting diodes accelerate wound healing: characterization of the effect and its molecular basis in vitro and in vivo
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Updated: May 24, 2026
Investigation of a Blue Light LED Device to Suppress Wound Pathogens Using a Collagen-Based Synthetic Skin Model
Published on: February 24, 2026
Tomohiro Fushimi1, Shigeki Inui, Takeshi Nakajima
1Department of Regenerative Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
Because light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are low-coherent, quasimonochromatic, and nonthermal, they are an alternative for low level laser therapy, and have photobiostimulative effects on tissue repair. However, the molecular mechanism(s) are unclear, and potential effects of blue and/or green LEDs on wound healing are still unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of red (638 nm), blue (456 nm), and green (518 nm) LEDs on wound healing. In an in vivo study, wound sizes in the skin of ob/ob mice were significantly decreased on day 7 following exposure to green LEDs, and complete reepithelialization was accelerated by red and green LEDs compared with the control mice. To better understand the molecular mechanism(s) involved, we investigated the effects of LEDs on human fibroblasts in vitro by measuring mRNA and protein levels of cytokines secreted by fibroblasts during the process of wound healing and on the migration of HaCat keratinocytes. The results suggest that some cytokines are significantly increased by exposure to LEDs, especially leptin, IL-8, and VEGF, but only by green LEDs. The migration of HaCat keratinocytes was significantly promoted by red or green LEDs. In conclusion, we demonstrate that green LEDs promote wound healing by inducing migratory and proliferative mediators, which suggests that not only red LEDs but also green LEDs can be a new powerful therapeutic strategy for wound healing.
Insights
Green and red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) accelerate wound healing. Green LEDs specifically enhance tissue repair by increasing key cytokines and promoting cell migration, offering a new therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photomedicine
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer a nonthermal alternative to low-level laser therapy for tissue repair.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying LED photobiostimulation for wound healing remain unclear.
- The specific effects of blue and green LEDs on wound healing require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of red, blue, and green LEDs on wound healing in vivo and in vitro.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which LEDs influence wound healing, focusing on cytokine expression and cell migration.
- To evaluate the potential of red and green LEDs as therapeutic strategies for wound healing.
Main Methods:
- An in vivo study using ob/ob mice to assess LED effects on wound size and reepithelialization.
- An in vitro study using human fibroblasts to measure mRNA and protein levels of wound healing cytokines.
- Assessing the impact of LEDs on HaCat keratinocyte migration.
Main Results:
- Green LEDs significantly reduced wound size by day 7 in mice.
- Red and green LEDs accelerated complete reepithelialization compared to controls.
- Green LEDs increased specific cytokines (leptin, IL-8, VEGF) in vitro, and red or green LEDs promoted keratinocyte migration.
Conclusions:
- Green LEDs promote wound healing by upregulating migratory and proliferative mediators.
- Both red and green LEDs demonstrate potential as effective therapeutic strategies for wound healing.
- This research highlights the therapeutic potential of specific LED wavelengths in accelerating tissue repair.
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