The Combination of Light and Stem Cell Therapies: A Novel Approach in Regenerative Medicine.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Anders, Juanita; Moges, Helina; Xingjia Wu; Ilev, Ilko; Waynant, Ronald; Longo, Leonardo
- Source
- AIP Conference Proceedings. 5/31/2010, Vol. 1226 Issue 1, p3-10. 8p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Chart, 2 Graphs.
- Subject
- *STEM cells
*THERAPEUTICS
*PRESERVATION of organs, tissues, etc.
*CELLULAR therapy
*CYTOKINES
*GROWTH factors
- Language
- ISSN
- 0094-243X
Light therapy commonly referred to as low level laser therapy can alter cellular functions and clinical conditions. Some of the commonly reported in vitro and in vivo effects of light therapy include cellular proliferation, alterations in the inflammatory response to injury, and increases in mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate synthesis. Based on the known effects of light on cells and tissues in general and on reports in the last 5 years on the interaction of light with stem cells, evidence is mounting indicating that light therapy could greatly benefit stem cell regenerative medicine. Experiments on a variety of harvested adult stem cells demonstrate that light therapy enhances differentiation and proliferation of the cells and alters the expression of growth factors in a number of different types of adult stem cells and progenitors in vitro. It also has the potential to attenuate cytotoxic effects of drugs used to purge harvested autologous stem cells and to increase survival of transplanted cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]