The effect of LED photobiomodulation on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells: in vitro

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of three different light-emitting diode (LED) wavelengths on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in vitro.

Methods: PDLSCs seeded on 96- and 24-well plates, for proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation, respectively, were irradiated daily by LED light with peak emission wavelengths of 630, 680, and 830 nm at constant energy densities of 3.5 J/cm². Cultures were grown for 8 days for the proliferation assay, 10 days for the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, and 28 days for Alizarin red staining. Mitochondrial activity, ALP enzyme level, and the ability to form calcium phosphate deposits were measured and compared across cultures.

Results: Results obtained from statistical analysis of the experimental data indicated that the rate of proliferation (P < 0.05) in 830-nm irradiated cultures were significantly higher than the control samples at day 6 and 8; whereas, for the 630- and 680-nm groups, test results showed lower proliferation rates at day 8. For osteoblastic differentiation, significantly greater mineralization than the control samples was detected in the red-light groups (630 and 680 nm) during the late differentiation period (P < 0.001), which was supported by a higher ALP activity of the 630- and 680-nm groups in the early stage (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the PDLSCs responded differently to specific LED wavelengths. For enhancing cellular proliferation, 830-nm LED irradiation was more effective. On the other hand, the wavelengths of 630 and 680 nm were better for stimulating osteoblastic differentiation.