Photobiomodulation with 660-nm and 780-nm laser on activated J774 macrophage-like cells: Effect on M1 inflammatory markers

• M1 J774 macrophages were irradiated with two different sets of laser parameters.
• IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 expression were analyzed by RT-qPCR and ELISA.
• 660 nm laser reduced the expression of TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 in M1 J774 macrophages.
• 660 nm laser increased the expression of IL-6 in M1 J774 macrophages.
• 780 nm laser reduced IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 expression in J774 macrophages.

M1 profile macrophages exert a major influence on initial tissue repair process. Few days after the occurrence of injury, macrophages in the injured region exhibit a M2 profile, attenuate the effects of the M1 population, and stimulate the reconstruction of the damaged tissue. The different effects of macrophages in the healing process suggest that these cells could be the target of therapeutic interventions. Photobiomodulation has been used to accelerate tissue repair, but little is known regarding its effect on macrophages. In the present study, J774 macrophages were activated to simulate the M1 profile and irradiated with two different sets of laser parameters (780 nm, 70 mW, 2.6 J/cm2, 1.5 s and 660 nm, 15 mW, 7.5 J/cm2, 20 s). IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 gene and protein expression were analyzed by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Both lasers were able to reduce TNF-α and iNOS expression, and TNF-α and COX-2 production, although the parameters used for 780 nm laser provided an additional decrease. 660 nm laser parameters resulted in an up-regulation of IL-6 expression and production. These findings imply a distinct, time-dependent modulation by the two different sets of laser parameters, suggesting that the best modulation may involve more than one combination of parameters.