Photobiomodulation improves the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into many other cell types typically isolated from adult tissue sources. The therapeutic potential of MSCs is considerable in regenerative medicine and has advanced over the years. Consequently, methods and tools that improve the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs have also been devised and utilized. Recent strategies used to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MSC include photobiomodulation (PBM), which can increase proliferation and enhance differentiation into target cell types. PBM is a non-thermal, non-invasive method that utilizes light from coherent or non-coherent sources to influence metabolic activity at the cellular level and has been found to increase cell proliferation and migration in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies. However, little is known of the mechanism responsible for the effects of PBM on MSCs or its potential as an adjunctive treatment, which obscures appreciation of its regenerative applications. This review summarizes reports on the effects of PBM on different MSCs and provides perspectives on the ability of PBM to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in regenerative medicine.