Shining a Light on Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: Red Photobiomodulation Boosts Myoblast Differentiation In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is an emerging noninvasive strategy for skeletal muscle regeneration.
• Optimal PBM parameters for enhancing muscle satellite stem cell function require identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of red PBM on murine myoblasts and mature myotubes.
• To determine specific PBM parameters that promote skeletal muscle regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Red laser diode PBM applied to differentiating myoblasts and mature myotubes.
• Evaluated cell viability, myogenic transcription factor expression (MyoD, myogenin), myotube formation, mitochondrial function, and electrophysiological properties.
• Analyzed extracellular vesicle (EV) release.

Main Results:

• Red PBM (4 J/cm²) promoted MyoD and myogenin expression, myotube formation, and mitochondrial activity.
• PBM treatment enhanced cell differentiation markers and promyogenic EV release.
• Mature myotubes showed increased promyogenic EV secretion without altered viability.

Conclusions:

• Red PBM demonstrates promyogenic effects, supporting skeletal muscle regeneration.
• Specific PBM parameters, like 4 J/cm², can enhance myogenic cell differentiation and EV release.
• Provides foundational evidence for PBM in skeletal muscle regenerative medicine.