Combining Light Therapy and Stem Cells to Fight Brain Inflammation

Brain inflammation, a significant factor in neurodegenerative diseases, is managed by tiny immune cells called microglia. These cells can be pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2). We know that human stem cells from umbilical cords (hUCMSCs) can release substances that reduce inflammation. Another interesting method is photobiomodulation (PBM), which uses light to reduce inflammation in the brain. Scientists decided to mix these two approaches and see what happens. They pre-treated the human stem cells with light therapy before introducing them to inflamed cells in a lab model and in live mice. The results? The light-treated stem cells encouraged the anti-inflammatory response and improved brain function in mice. This was achieved by tweaking a pathway called Notch signaling. It's like training a friendly guard dog to protect your brain from inflammation. By combining light therapy and stem cells, scientists may have found a new way to tackle neurodegenerative diseases.