Modulation of cells function and differentiation by light technology.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25713009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: National Defense Medical College
• Principal Investigator: KUSHIBIKI Toshihiro 防衛医科大学校(医学教育部医学科進学課程及び専門課程、動物実験施設、共同利用研究, 医学教育部医学科専門課程, 准教授 (30403158)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 光 / 細胞機能 / 分化 / 光線力学療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), cells are impregnated with a photosensitizing agent that is activated by light irradiation, thereby photochemically generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although high levels of ROS are cytotoxic, at physiological levels they play a key role as second messengers in cellular signaling pathways, pluripotency, and differentiation of stem cells. To investigate further the use of photochemically triggered manipulation of such pathways, we exposed mouse osteoblast precursor cells and rat primary mesenchymal stromal cells to low-dose PDT. Our results demonstrate that low-dose PDT can promote osteoblast differentiation via the activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Although PDT has been used primarily as an anti-cancer therapy, the use of light as a photochemical “molecular switch” to promote differentiation should expand the utility of this method in basic research and clinical applications.

Free Research Field

光生物学