Effects of a red light-emitting diode on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of red LEDs on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla (hSCAPs). Methods hSCAPs were obtained by isolation, culture and flow cytometry in vitro and irradiated with 1, 3, 5, and 7 J/cm2 red LEDs. The proliferation of hSCAPs was detected using a CCK-8 assay. The osteogenic differentiation of hSCAPs was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity assay and Alizarin red quantitative detection. The effect of 5 J/cm2 red LEDs on the expression levels of the ALP, Runx2, OCN, OPN and BSP genes and proteins was detected by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results Red LEDs at 1, 3, 5, and 7 J/cm2 promoted the proliferation of hSCAPs (P < 0.05). The effects of red LEDs with different light energies on the proliferation of hSCAPs were different at different time points (P < 0.05). On the 7th and 14th days after irradiation, red LEDs promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hSCAPs, and the effect of 5 J/cm2 red LEDs was the most obvious under osteogenic induction culture conditions (P<0.05). Red LEDs (5 J/cm2) promoted the expression of the ALP, Runx2, OCN, OPN and BSP genes and proteins (P < 0.05). Conclusion Red LEDs promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hSCAPs.

Keywords

• mesenchymal stem cells，
• human stem cells from apical papilla，
• photobiomodulation，
• red led，
• cell proliferation，
• alkaline phosphatase，
• osteocalcin，
• osteopontin，
• osteogenic differentiation，
• tissue engineering，
• stem cell-based therapy，