Helium-neon laser irradiation induces effects on cytokine production at the protein and the mRNA level

• Published in: Experimental dermatology Vol. 2; no. 2; p. 75
• Main Authors: Funk, J O, Kruse, A, Neustock, P, Kirchner, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01.04.1993
• Subjects: Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Line; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Cytokines - genetics; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; In Vitro Techniques; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-1 - genetics; Interleukin-2 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-2 - genetics; Lasers; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - radiation effects; Mitogens - pharmacology; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - metabolism; Monocytes - radiation effects; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics
• ISSN: 0906-6705
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.1993.tb00012.x

The construction of an in vitro model allowed an investigation of the basic functions of immunocompetent cells after laser irradiation. Among low-energy laser sources, the helium-neon (He-Ne) laser, with a wavelength of 632.8 nm, has often been found to produce photobiological effects including evidence of interference with immunological functions. Previous experiments revealed an influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on concentrations of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in supernatants of cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with increased cytokine concentrations after irradiation of 18.9 J/cm2 and decreased concentrations after irradiation of 37.8 J/cm2. Now, the mechanisms involved were studied. Results showed that cytokine production of cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was altered significantly after laser irradiation but not after stimulation with staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). In situ hybridization of IFN-gamma mRNA producing PBMC revealed that the number of positive cells was modulated similarly. The results were identical in cultures of enriched monocytes (M phi) or enriched T cells. Cells of the human monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 were also influenced after LPS stimulation, whereas constitutively IL-2-producing Jurkat cells were not influenced by laser irradiation at any energy density. Analysis of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in PBMC showed partial down-regulation of both receptors at 37.8 J/cm2, but only after stimulation with PHA.