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Attenuation of the inflammatory response and polarization of macrophages by photobiomodulation

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Abstract

In spinal cord injury (SCI), inflammation is a major mediator of damage and loss of function and is regulated primarily by the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level light stimulation is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and has previously been used in the treatment of SCI, although its precise cellular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effect of PBM at 810 nm on classically activated BMDMs was evaluated to investigate the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects. BMDMs were cultured and irradiated (810 nm, 2 mW/cm2) following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ. CCK-8 assay, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, and ELISA and western blot analysis were performed to measure cell viability, reactive oxygen species production, and inflammatory marker production, respectively. PBM irradiation of classically activated macrophages significantly increased the cell viability and inhibited reactive oxygen species generation. PBM suppressed the expression of a marker of classically activated macrophages, inducible nitric oxide synthase; decreased the mRNA expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1 beta; and increased the secretion of monocyte chemotactic protein 1. Exposure to PBM likewise significantly reduced the expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in classically activated BMDMs. Taken together, these results suggest that PBM can successfully modulate inflammation and polarization in classically activated BMDMs. The present study provides a theoretical basis to support wider clinical application of PBM in the treatment of SCI.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Xi’an laser tech medical technology company LTD for providing the PBM device. The authors also wish to thank Prof. Jielai Xia from AFMU, China, for editing this manuscript.

Funding

This work is supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81572151) and Key Science and Technology Program in Social Development of Shaanxi Province (2016SF-143).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xijing Orthopaedics Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi′an, Shaanxi, China

    Kun Li, Zhuowen Liang, Jiawei Zhang, Xiaoshuang Zuo, Jiakai Sun, Qiao Zheng, Jiwei Song, Tan Ding, Xueyu Hu & Zhe Wang

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  1. Kun Li
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  2. Zhuowen Liang
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  3. Jiawei Zhang
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Correspondence to Xueyu Hu or Zhe Wang.

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All the procedures that required the use of mice were performed following the guidelines established by the Animal Care Ethics Committee of the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, P.R. China.

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Zhe Wang is corresponding author and Xueyu Hu is the co-corresponding author.

Kun Li, Zhuowen Liang and Jiawei Zhang are co-first author.

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Li, K., Liang, Z., Zhang, J. et al. Attenuation of the inflammatory response and polarization of macrophages by photobiomodulation. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1509–1518 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02941-y

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