Journal of Cell Science 115, e703-e703 (2002)
© 2002 The Company of Biologists Limited
Laser-induced muscle regeneration
Adult skeletal muscle in humans has a limited ability to repair itself. The
development of therapies that promote muscle regeneration is therefore an
important goal of research into myopathies and muscle trauma. One potential
approach is low-energy laser irradiation (LELI). LELI has been shown to
facilitate wound healing and muscle regeneration; the next step is to
establish the underlying mechanism. Orna Halevy and co-workers have analysed
the effects of LELI on explanted single fibres, which comprise contractile
fibres and associated satellite cells and therefore closely mimic skeletal
muscle in vivo (see p. 1461).
The authors find that LELI induces the normally quiescent satellite cells to
enter the cell cycle and proliferate. Moreover, LELI also promotes cell
survival, stimulating expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and
reducing the levels of its pro-apoptotic counterpart BAX. Since the increase
in cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis are not long term (and hence
unlikely to reflect transformation), Halevy and co-workers conclude that LELI
could provide a safe and effective treatment for muscle injury/myopathy.
Related articles in JCS:
- Low-energy laser irradiation promotes the survival and cell cycle entry of skeletal muscle satellite cells
- Gavriella Shefer, Terry A. Partridge, Louise Heslop, Jacqueline G. Gross, Uri Oron, and Orna Halevy
JCS 2002 115: 1461-1469.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
