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Second messengers mediating the proliferation and collagen synthesis of tenocytes induced by low-level laser irradiation

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Abstract

For decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has widespread applications in tendon-related injuries. Although the therapeutic effect of LLLT could be explained by photostimulation of target tissue and cells, how tenocytes sense photonic energy and convert them into cascades of cellular and molecular events is still not well understood. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of LLLT on cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by examining the associated second messengers including ATP, Ca2+, and nitric oxide using rat Achilles tenocytes. Moreover, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) related to cell proliferation and matrix metabolism were also studied. The results showed that 904 nm GaAs laser of 1 J/cm2 could significantly increase the MTT activity and collagen synthesis of tenocytes. Second messengers including ATP and intracellular Ca2+ were increased after laser treatment. Quantitative PCR analysis of tenocytes treated with laser revealed up-regulated expression of PCNA, type I collagen, and TGF-β1. Besides, laser-induced TGF-β1 expression was significantly inhibited by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) specific inhibitor (PD98059). The findings suggested that LLLT stimulated ATP production and increased intracellular calcium concentration. Directly or indirectly via production of TGF-β1, these second messengers mediated the proliferation of tenocytes and synthesis of collagen.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this research was provided through the National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch from Grants HCH 102-31.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Mei-Hsiu Chen

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec.2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yun-Chien Huang & Ming-Hong Chen

  3. Department of Orthopedics, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Jui-Sheng Sun

  4. Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yuan-Hung Chao

  5. Department of Physical Therapy, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yuan-Hung Chao

  6. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ming-Hong Chen

  7. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ming-Hong Chen

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  1. Mei-Hsiu Chen
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Correspondence to Ming-Hong Chen.

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Chen, MH., Huang, YC., Sun, JS. et al. Second messengers mediating the proliferation and collagen synthesis of tenocytes induced by low-level laser irradiation. Lasers Med Sci 30, 263–272 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1658-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1658-5

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