Optimizing Photobiomodulation for Smooth Muscle Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Using Retinoic Acid and...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Smooth muscle dysfunction is implicated in atherosclerosis, with current treatments lacking efficacy.
• Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a promising source for regenerative medicine.
• Enhancing ADSC differentiation into smooth muscle cells (SMC) could improve therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of photobiomodulation (PBM) in promoting ADSC differentiation into SMC.
• To assess the effects of different PBM wavelengths and fluences on ADSC behavior and SMC marker expression.

Main Methods:

• ADSCs were treated with growth factors and irradiated with green (525 nm) or near-infrared (825 nm) light at 5 J/cm² or 10 J/cm².
• Assessed outcomes included proliferation, cytotoxicity, mitochondrial membrane potential, collagen production, migration, and SMC marker expression.

Main Results:

• PBM demonstrated a fluence-dependent biphasic response.
• 5 J/cm² fluences, particularly green light, enhanced proliferation, mitochondrial activity, collagen deposition, and SMC marker expression.
• 10 J/cm² fluences reduced proliferation and mitochondrial potential, while increasing migration.

Conclusions:

• Low-fluence PBM (5 J/cm²), especially green light, effectively promotes ADSC differentiation towards a SMC-like phenotype.
• This PBM approach may lead to a more contractile SMC phenotype, beneficial for regenerative therapies.
• PBM offers a non-invasive strategy to enhance stem cell differentiation for smooth muscle repair.