Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2024, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (2): 598-608.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01219

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Photobiomodulation: a novel approach to promote trans-differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into neuronal-like cells

Daniella Da Silva, Madeleen Jansen van Rensburg, Anine Crous*, Heidi Abrahamse   

  1. Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Online:2025-02-15 Published:2024-06-18
  • Contact: Anine Crous, PhD, acrous@uj.ac.za.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) S&F -Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship, No. 120752 (to AC); the Global Excellence and Stature, Fourth Industrial Revolution (GES 4.0) Postgraduate Scholarship (to MJR); the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa (SARChI/NRF-DST), No. 146290 (to DDS and HA).

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Abstract: Photobiomodulation, originally used red and near-infrared lasers, can alter cellular metabolism. It has been demonstrated that the visible spectrum at 451–540 nm does not necessarily increase cell proliferation, near-infrared light promotes adipose stem cell proliferation and affects adipose stem cell migration, which is necessary for the cells homing to the site of injury. In this in vitro study, we explored the potential of adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into neurons for future translational regenerative treatments in neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries. We investigated the effects of various biological and chemical inducers on trans-differentiation and evaluated the impact of photobiomodulation using 825 nm near-infrared and 525 nm green laser light at 5 J/cm2. As adipose-derived stem cells can be used in autologous grafting and photobiomodulation has been shown to have biostimulatory effects. Our findings reveal that adipose-derived stem cells can indeed trans-differentiate into neuronal cells when exposed to inducers, with pre-induced cells exhibiting higher rates of proliferation and trans-differentiation compared with the control group. Interestingly, green laser light stimulation led to notable morphological changes indicative of enhanced trans-differentiation, while near-infrared photobiomodulation notably increased the expression of neuronal markers. Through biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we observed marked improvements in viability, proliferation, membrane permeability, and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as increased protein levels of neuron-specific enolase and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Overall, our results demonstrate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in enhancing the trans-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells, offering promising prospects for their use in regenerative medicine for neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.

Key words: differentiation inducers, green photobiomodulation, immortalized adipose-derived stem cell, near-infrared photobiomodulation, neurodegenerative disease, neurogenesis, photobiomodulation, trans-differentiation