Effects of photobiomodulation on cellular viability and cancer stem cell phenotype in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Lasers in medical science 2021-04, Vol.36 (3), p.681-690
• Main Authors: Ibarra, Ana Melissa Ccopa, Garcia, Mônica Pereira, Ferreira, Marlene, de Fátima Teixeira da Silva, Daniela, Pavani, Christiane, Mesquita-Ferrari, Raquel Agnelli, Fernandes, Kristianne Porta Santos, Nunes, Fabio Daumas, Rodrigues, Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell self-renewal; Cell Survival - radiation effects; Cell viability; Colony-Forming Units Assay; Dentistry; Flow cytometry; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Lasers; Light therapy; Low-Level Light Therapy - adverse effects; Malignancy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metastases; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Mouth Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Mucositis; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Neoplastic Stem Cells - radiation effects; Optical Devices; Optics; Oral cancer; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Original Article; Phenotype; Phenotypes; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Squamous cell carcinoma; Stem cells; Tumors
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-020-03131-x

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck malignancy; it has been shown that cancer stem cells (CSC) are present in OSCC and associated with tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an alternative tool for oncologic treatment adverse effects such as oral mucositis (OM); however, controversy exists regarding the undesirable effects of PBM on tumor or CSC. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro, the effects of PBM, with the same dosimetric parameters as those used in the clinic for OM prevention and treatment, on OSCC cellular viability, as well as PBM’s effect on CSC properties and its phenotype. OSCC cell lines were submitted to single or daily PBM with 3 J/cm 2 and 6 J/cm 2 and then the cellular viability was evaluated by MTT, NRU (neutral red uptake), and CVS (crystal violet staining). The CSC populations were evaluated by clonogenic formation assay, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR. The single PBM with the 3 J/cm 2 group was associated with increased cellular viability. Daily PBM with 3 J/cm 2 and 6 J/cm 2 was associated with a significant decrease in cellular viability. Additionally, daily PBM was not able to promote CSC self-renewal or the CD44 high /ESA low and CD44 high /ESA high cellular phenotypes. Moreover, a decrease in the number of spheres and in the expression of the CSC related gene BMI1 was observed after daily PBM with 6 J/cm 2 . Daily PBM with 3 J/cm 2 and 6 J/cm 2 showed an inhibitory effect on cellular viability and was not able to promote the CSC self-renewal or phenotype.