Near-infrared low-level laser stimulation of telocytes from human myometrium

Telocytes (TCs) are a brand-new cell type frequently observed in the interstitial space of many organs (see www.telocytes.com). TCs are defined by very long (tens of micrometers) and slender prolongations named telopodes. At their level, dilations-called podoms (similar to 300 nm), alternate with podomers (80-100 nm). TCs were identified in a myometrial interstitial cell culture based on morphological criteria and by CD34 and PDGF receptor alpha (PDGFR alpha) immunopositivity. However, the mechanism(s) of telopodes formation and/or elongation and ramification is not known. We report here the low-level laser stimulation (LLLS) using a 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (with an output power of 60 mW) of the telopodal lateral extension (TLE) growth in cell culture. LLLS of TCs determines a higher growth rate of TLE in pregnant myometrium primary cultures (10.3 +/- 1.0 mu m/min) compared to nonpregnant ones (6.6 +/- 0.9 mu m/min). Acute exposure (30 min) of TCs from pregnant myometrium to 1 mu M mibefradil, a selective inhibitor of T-type calcium channels, determines a significant reduction in the LLLS TLE growth rate (5.7 +/- 0.8 mu m/min) compared to LLLS per se in same type of samples. Meanwhile, chronic exposure (24 h) completely abolishes the LLLS TLE growth in both nonpregnant and pregnant myometria. The initial direction of TLE growth was modified by LLLS, the angle of deviation being more accentuated in TCs from human pregnant myometrium than in TCs from nonpregnant myometrium. In conclusion, TCs from pregnant myometrium are more susceptible of reacting to LLLS than those from nonpregnant myometrium. Therefore, some implications are emerging for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in uterine regenerative medicine.