Gene expression changes in diabetic wound healing as induced by photobiostimulation in vitro

Abstract: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder resulting in hyperglycaemia. Impaired wound healing is a serious complication of diabetes, and is a severe public health problem. Photobiostimulation is a non-invasive form of treatment known to enhance healing of such wounds using low energy lasers. This study investigated the changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression in diabetic wounded fibroblasts in vitro after photobiostimulation at 830 nm. Normal (N-unstressed), normal wounded (NW-stressed) and diabetic wounded (DWstressed) fibroblasts were incubated for 48 h after irradiation using a continuous wave diode laser at a wavelength of 830 nm with 5 J/cm2 . Non-irradiated cells (0 J/cm2 ) were used as controls. The gene expression profile (84 genes) was assessed using an ECM real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) array with the appropriate controls included. Sixty one genes were significantly regulated (55 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated) in N-cells; 40 genes (20 upregulated, and 20 down-regulated) in NW-cells; and 42 genes (9 up-regulated and 33 downregulated) in DW-cells. Several genes were down-regulated in DW-cells as compared to N- and NW-cells. Photobiostimulation modulated the expression of important genes in wound healing, including cell adhesion molecules, integrins, ECM proteins, proteases, and inhibitors involved in the ECM. An in depth comprehension of the molecular and biological processes may create an improved therapeutic protocol for the treatment of diabetic wounds