Light as a Cure: Photobiomodulation, from the Cell to the Clinical Application

Dear Colleagues,

Molecules in living systems can absorb photon energy, reaching an electronically excited state that temporarily modifies their conformation and function.

Two types of molecules exist, those specialized to absorb light, such as photoreceptors, and non-specialized molecules, such as photoacceptors. The latter are more common than photoreceptors and are part of ubiquitous metabolic pathways not directly related to light processing.

Although sunlight is not a source of energy for the metabolism of animal cells, like it is for plant cells, interactions of light at the visible and near-infrared wavelengths have also been described in them. Particularly, since many photoacceptors have been detected in the mitochondria, this organelle is considered the elective cellular target to describe light and animal cell interaction, and its modulation of cellular metabolic key pathways of all life forms, from protozoa to humans.

This biological and medical subject was defined as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), but recently, the more appropriate definition of photobiomodulation has been introduced.

Therefore, photobiomodulation affects photoacceptors’ primary targets and modulates oxygen consumption, both ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as regulates nitric oxide (NO) release and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration.

The photobiomodulation effect can thus modulate cellular second messengers through different strategies and support both the clinician and the patient toward a faster recovery in different medical areas.

Today, however, photobiomodulation shows limitations in its applicability, due to some lack of its reproducibility. The new challenge for researchers is therefore implementing knowledge at the cellular level and validating it through reliable pre-clinical (animal) and clinical studies.

Both original research papers and review papers are welcome. Technical topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Novel molecular and cellular mechanisms of photobiomodulation;
• Impact of photobiomodulation on cellular damage and stress;
• Photobiomodulation interaction with life forms: an evolutionary perspective;
• Photobiomodulation and tissue interaction: behavior and optimization of irradiation parameters to support more reproducible therapy;
• Implications of photobiomodulation on tissue dysfunction recovery;
• Impact of photobiomodulation on human disorders and diseases: pre-clinical and clinical evidence combined with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.

Dr. Andrea Amaroli
Dr. Nasim Chiniforush
Dr. Kinga Grzech-Leśniak
Guest Editors

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