Irradiated Cells (irradiated + cell)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effect of mangiferin on radiation-induced micronucleus formation in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 1 2005
Ganesh Chandra Jagetia
Abstract Irradiation causes a variety of lesions in important biomolecules of the cell through generation of free radicals leading to genomic instability. DNA strand breaks, acentric fragments, or defective kinetochores are manifested as micronuclei after the first cell division. Chemicals that can trap free radicals may reduce the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation. Mangiferin (MGN), a glucosylxanthone derived from Mangifera indica (mango), was investigated for its ability to reduce the frequency of radiation-induced micronucleated binucleate cells (MNBNCs) in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs). HPBL cultures were pretreated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 ,g/ml of MGN for 30 min before exposure to 3 Gy of 60Co ,-radiation. The maximum decline in radiation-induced micronuclei was observed at a concentration of 50 ,g/ml MGN; thereafter, a nonsignificant elevation in MNBNC frequency was observed at 100 ,g/ml MGN. Since the lowest MNBNC frequency was observed for 50 ,g/ml MGN, dose-response studies were undertaken using this concentration. Irradiation of HPBLs with 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 Gy of ,-radiation caused a dose-dependent elevation in the MNBNC frequency, while treatment of HPBLs with 50 ,g/ml MGN 30 min before radiation resulted in significant declines in these frequencies. MGN alone did not alter the proliferation index. Irradiation caused a dose-dependent decline in the proliferation index, while treatment of HPBLs with 50 ,/ml MGN significantly elevated the proliferation index in irradiated cells. MGN treatment reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation in HPBLs in a concentration-dependent fashion. In cell-free studies, MGN inhibited the induction of ·OH (hydroxyl), O2·, (superoxide), DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS·+ (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radicals in a dose-dependent manner. The results of this study indicate that MGN possesses radioprotective properties by suppressing the effects of free radicals. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 45:000,000, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Cell-cycle deregulation in BALB/c 3T3 cells transformed by 1,2-dibromoethane and folpet pesticides

ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 5 2003
Maria Alessandra Santucci
Abstract The cell-transforming potential of 1,2-dibromoethane and folpet, two widely used agricultural pesticides that are potential sources of environmental pollution, has been previously ascribed to their promoting activity. In this study, we investigated whether BALB/c 3T3 transformation by these chemicals was associated with the deregulation of signals involved in cell-cycle progression and in cell-cycle checkpoint induction. We found that two BALB/c 3T3 cell clones transformed by in vitro medium-term (8-week) exposure to the carcinogens had a constitutive acceleration of cell transition from G1 to S phase and an abrogation of the radiation-induced G1/S checkpoint. These events involved multiple signals; in particular, the inhibitors of cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase complexes p21 and p27 were significantly down-modulated and the positive regulators of cell-cycle progression cyclin D3 and E were up-modulated. As anticipated for cells where the G1/S checkpoint was abrogated, the transformed cells exhibited a significant reinforcement of the radiation-induced G2/M checkpoint, the only checkpoint remaining to protect genomic integrity. However, cyclin A1 and B1 coexpression and cyclin A1 overexpression were found despite the G2 arrest in irradiated cells and these signals likely attenuate the G2/M checkpoint. These alterations to normal cell cycling may promote the emergence of both numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities and their tolerance. Such a condition could play a key role in neoplastic transformation and be crucial in tumor progression. Furthermore, cyclin A1 overexpression may play an autonomous role in the neoplastic transformation of BALB/c 3T3 cells, as it does in other cell types of mesenchymal origin. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:315,321, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Amifostine protection against induced DNA damage in ,-irradiated Escherichia coli cells depend on recN DNA repair gene product activity

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Eliseo Almeida
Abstract Amifostine is the most effective radioprotector known and the only one accepted for clinical use in cancer radiotherapy. In this work, the antigenotoxic effect of amifostine against ,-rays was studied in Escherichia coli cells deficient in DNA damage repair activities. Assays of irradiated cells treated with amifostine showed that the drug reduced the genotoxicity induced by radiation in E. coli wild-type genotypes and in uvr, recF, recB, recB-recC-recF mutant strains, but not in recN defective cells. Thus, the mechanism of DNA protection by amifostine against ,-radiation-induced genotoxicity appears to involve participation of the RecN protein that facilitates repair of DNA double-strand breaks. The results are discussed in relation to amifostine's chemopreventive potential. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010. [source]


Analyses of ultraviolet-induced focus formation of hREV1 protein

GENES TO CELLS, Issue 3 2006
Yoshiki Murakumo
Translesional DNA synthesis (TLS) is one of the DNA damage tolerance mechanisms that allow cells with DNA damage to continue DNA replication. Each of the mammalian Y-family DNA polymerases (Pol ,, Pol ,, Pol ,, and REV1) has been shown to carry out TLS by itself or in combination with another enzyme in vitro. Recently, the C-terminal region of mammalian REV1 (the total 1251 residues in human) was found to interact with Pol ,, Pol ,, and Pol ,, as well as with the REV7 subunit of another TLS enzyme, Pol ,. Thus, it is proposed that REV1 plays a pivotal role in TLS in vivo. We here describe our study on the localization of human REV1 protein (hREV1) in nondamaged and ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated cells. Ectopically expressed hREV1 in mammalian cells was localized to the nucleus and exhibited dozens of tiny foci in approximately 3% of nondamaged cells. The percentage of focus-forming cells markedly increased after UV irradiation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The focus formation was associated with UV-induced DNA damage. Interestingly, although the hREV1 foci in S-phase cells colocalized with PCNA foci, suggesting the association of hREV1 with the replication machinery, hREV1 focus formation was observed not only in the S phase but also outside S phase. Furthermore, it was found that the hREV1 focus formation after UV irradiation required a region near the C-terminal (826,1178). [source]


Human autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction as an in vitro model for autoreactivity to apoptotic antigens

IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
Mohammad R. Amel Kashipaz
Summary Recent studies have indicated that cells undergoing apoptosis are the source of autoantigens which drive autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has been recognized for many years that in vitro stimulation of T cells with irradiated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-bearing autologous cells results in T-cell proliferation with immunological specificity and memory, namely the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). The nature of the major stimulants in the AMLR is still unclear. We investigated whether apoptotic fragments from irradiated cells act as antigenic stimulators for AMLR or nucleohistone-primed T cells. T-cell proliferation in the primary AMLR was significantly suppressed by the presence of a caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp-CH2F (Z-VAD.fmk), indicating that apoptotic antigens released from irradiated autologous feeder cells act as stimulators of AMLR T cells. This inhibitory effect of Z-VAD was not caused by toxic effects, because the T-cell response to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was not inhibited by Z-VAD. A nucleohistone preparation was shown to contain antigens that are important in the AMLR, as culture with nucleohistone (but not with thyroglobulin or hen-egg lysozyme) primed T cells to respond with secondary kinetics in a subsequent AMLR that was also suppressed by Z-VAD. Our data provide evidence that the AMLR constitutes a model for the evaluation of cellular and molecular mechanisms that may be relevant to the pathogenesis of SLE and similar autoimmune diseases. [source]


PX-478, an inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1,, enhances radiosensitivity of prostate carcinoma cells,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 10 2008
Sanjeewani T. Palayoor
Abstract Overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1, (HIF-1,) in human tumors is associated with poor prognosis and poor outcome to radiation therapy. Inhibition of HIF-1, is considered as a promising approach in cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a novel HIF-1, inhibitor PX-478 as a radiosensitizer under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in vitro. PC3 and DU 145 prostate carcinoma cells were treated with PX-478 for 20 hr, and HIF-1, protein level and clonogenic cell survival were determined under normoxia and hypoxia. Effects of PX-478 on cell cycle distribution and phosphorylation of H2AX histone were evaluated. PX-478 decreased HIF-1, protein in PC3 and DU 145 cells. PX-478 produced cytotoxicity in both cell lines with enhanced toxicity under hypoxia for DU-145. PX-478 (20 ,mol/L) enhanced the radiosensitivity of PC3 cells irradiated under normoxic and hypoxic condition with enhancement factor (EF) 1.4 and 1.56, respectively. The drug was less effective in inhibiting HIF-1, and enhancing radiosensitivity of DU 145 cells compared to PC3 cells with EF 1.13 (normoxia) and 1.25 (hypoxia) at 50 ,mol/L concentration. PX-478 induced S/G2M arrest in PC3 but not in DU 145 cells. Treatment of PC3 and DU 145 cells with the drug resulted in phosphorylation of H2AX histone and prolongation of ,H2AX expression in the irradiated cells. PX-478 is now undergoing Phase I clinical trials as an oral agent. Although the precise mechanism of enhancement of radiosensitivity remains to be identified, this study suggests a potential role for PX-478 as a clinical radiation enhancer. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Induced and repressed genes after irradiation sensitizing by pentoxyphylline,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2007
Waldemar Waldeck
Abstract Aim in cancer therapy is to increase the therapeutic ratio eliminating the disease while minimizing toxicity to normal tissues. Radiation therapy is a main component in targeting cancer. Radiosensitizing agents like pentoxyphylline (PTX) have been evaluated to improve radiotherapy. Commonly, cells respond to radiation by the activation of specific early and late response genes as well as by inhibition of genes, which are expressed under normal conditions. A display of the genetic distinctions at the level of transcription is given here to characterize the molecular events underlying the radiosensitizing mechanisms. The method of suppression subtractive hybridization allows the visualization of both induced and repressed genes in irradiated cells compared with cells sensitized immediately after irradiation. The genes were isolated by cDNA-cloning, differential analysis and sequence similarity search. Genes involved in protein synthesis, metabolism, proteolysis and transcriptional regulation were detected. It is important that genes like KIAA280, which were only known as unidentified EST sequences before without function, but inaccessible by array technology were recovered as functional genes. Database searches for PTX-induced genes detected a human mRNA completely unknown. In case of suppressed genes, we detected several mRNAs; one thereof shows homology to a hypothetical protein possibly involved in signal transduction. A further mRNA encodes the protein BM036 supposed to associate with the E2F transcription factor. A hypothetical protein H41 was detected, which may repress the Her-2/neu receptor influencing breast cancer, gliomas and prostate tumors. Radiation combined with PTX may lead to a better prognosis by down regulation of the Her-2/neu, which will be proven by clinical studies in the near future. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Journal of Cellular Biochemistry: Volume 110, Number 6, August 15, 2010

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2010
Article first published online: 4 AUG 2010
The cover shows efficacy of UVL treatment in a mouse (box) superimposed on a background of irradiated cells in vitro. Please see article in this issue by Kimura et al, pages 1439,1446. [source]


Intracellular redistribution and modification of proteins of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 DNA repair complex following irradiation and heat-shock

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Joshua D. Seno
Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1form a tight complex which is homogeneously distributed throughout the nuclei of mammalian cells. However, after irradiation, the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (M/R/N) complex rapidly migrates to sites of double strand breaks (DSBs), forming foci which remain until DSB repair is complete. Mre11 and Rad50 play direct roles in DSB repair, while Nbs1 appears to be involved in damage signaling. Hyperthermia sensitizes mammalian cells to ionizing radiation. Radiosensitization by heat shock is believed to be mediated by an inhibition of DSB repair. While the mechanism of inhibition of repair by heat shock remains to be elucidated, recent reports suggest that the M/R/N complex may be a target for inhibition of DSB repair and radiosensitization by heat. We now demonstrate that when human U-1 melanoma cells are heated at 42.5 or 45.5°C, Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1 are rapidly translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Interestingly, when cells were exposed to ionizing radiation (12 Gy of X-rays) prior to heat treatment, the extent and kinetics of translocation were increased when nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of protein were analyzed immediately after treatment. The kinetics of the translocation and subsequent relocalization back into the nucleus when cells were incubated at 37°C from 30 min to 7 h following treatment were different for each protein, which suggests that the proteins redistribute independently. However, a significant fraction of the translocated proteins exist as a triple complex in the cytoplasm. Treatment with leptomycin B (LMB) inhibits the translocation of Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1 to the cytoplasm, leading us to speculate that the relocalization of the proteins to the cytoplasm occurs via CRM1-mediated nuclear export. In addition, while Nbs1 is rapidly phosphorylated in the nuclei of irradiated cells and is critical for a normal DNA damage response, we have found that Nbs1 is rapidly phosphorylated in the cytoplasm, but not in the nucleus, of heated irradiated cells. The phosphorylation of cytoplasmic Nbs1, which cannot be inhibited by wortmannin, appears to be a unique post-translational modification in heated, irradiated cells, and coupled with our novel observations that Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1 translocate to the cytoplasm, lend further support for a role of the M/R/N complex in thermal radiosensitization and inhibition of DSB repair. J. Cell. Physiol. 199: 157,170, 2004© 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Effect of low-level laser irradiation on odontoblast-like cells

LASER PHYSICS LETTERS, Issue 9 2008
C.F. Oliveira
Abstract Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also referred to as therapeutic laser, has been recommended for a wide array of clinical procedures, among which the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. However, the mechanism that guides this process remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of LLL irradiation on cell metabolism (MTT assay), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and total protein synthesis. The expression of genes that encode for collagen type-1 (Col-1) and fibronectin (FN) was analyzed by RT-PCR. For such purposes, odontoblast-like cell line (MDPC-23) was previously cultured in Petri dishes (15000 cells/cm2) and submitted to stress conditions during 12 h. Thereafter, 6 applications with a monochromatic near infrared radiation (GaAlAs) set at predetermined parameters were performed at 12-h intervals. Nonirradiated cells served as a control group. Neither the MTT values nor the total protein levels of the irradiated group differed significantly from those of the control group (Mann-Whitney test; p > 0.05). On the other hand, the irradiated cells showed a decrease in ALP activity (Mann-Whitney test; p < 0.05). RT-PCR results demonstrated a trend to a specific reduction in gene expression after cell irradiation, though not significant statistically (Mann-Whitney test; p > 0.05). It may be concluded that, under the tested conditions, the LLLT parameters used in the present study did not influence cell metabolism, but reduced slightly the expression of some specific proteins. (© 2008 by Astro Ltd., Published exclusively by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA) [source]


Protective effect of vitamin E on ultraviolet B light,induced damage in keratinocytes

MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 3 2002
Samar Maalouf
Abstract Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation is the most common environmental factor in the pathogenesis of skin cancer. Exposure of human skin to UVB radiation leads to the depletion of cutaneous antioxidants, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-,B), and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Although antioxidant supplementation has been shown to prevent UVB-induced photooxidative damage, its effect on components of cell signaling pathways leading to gene expression has not been clearly established. In the present study, the effect of the antioxidant vitamin, ,-tocopherol (,-T), and its acetate analog, ,-tocopherol acetate (,-TAc), on UVB-induced damage in primary and neoplastic mouse keratinocytes was investigated. The ability of both vitamins to modulate UVB-induced apoptosis and activation of the transcription factor NF-,B were studied. Treatment of normal and neoplastic mouse epidermal keratinocytes (308 cells) with 30,60 mJ/cm2 UVB markedly decreased viable cell number and was accompanied by DNA fragmentation. When both vitamins were applied to cells at times before and after UVB radiation, a significant increase in the percentage of viable cells and concomitant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells was noted, with vitamin pretreatment providing a better protection than posttreatment. Simultaneous posttreatment of irradiated cells with ,-TAc abolished the cytotoxic effects of UVB and restored cell viability to control levels. In addition, simultaneous posttreatment of irradiated cells with ,-T reduced the number of apoptotic cells by half, indicating a synergistic effect of two such treatments compared with any single one. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that vitamin treatment suppressed both an increase in pre-G0 cells and a decrease in cycling cells by UVB exposure. In addition, NF-,B activation was detected 2 h after UV exposure and was maintained for up to 8 h. Pretreatment with vitamins significantly inhibited NF-,B activation at 4 and 8 h. These results indicate that vitamin E and its acetate analog can modulate the cellular response to UVB partly through their action on NF-,B activation. Thus, these antioxidant vitamins are potential drugs for the protection from or the reduction of UVB-associated epidermal damage. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Ultraviolet B Light-induced Nitric Oxide/Peroxynitrite Imbalance in Keratinocytes,Implications for Apoptosis and Necrosis

PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Shiyong Wu
Elevation of nitric oxide (NO,) can either promote or inhibit ultraviolet B light (UVB)-induced apoptosis. In this study, we determined real-time concentration of NO, and peroxynitrite (ONOO,) and their role in regulation of membrane integrity and apoptosis. Nanosensors (diameter 300,500 nm) were used for direct in situ simultaneous measurements of NO, and ONOO, generated by UVB in cultured keratinocytes and mice epidermis. An exposure of keratinocytes to UVB immediately generated ONOO, at maximal concentration of 190 nm followed by NO, release with a maximal concentration of 91 nm. The kinetics of UVB-induced NO,/ONOO, was in contrast to cNOS agonist stimulated NO,/ONOO, from keratinocytes. After stimulating cNOS by calcium ionophore (CaI), NO, release from keratinocytes was followed by ONOO, production. The [NO,] to [ONOO,] ratio generated by UVB decreased below 0.5 indicating a serious imbalance between cytoprotective NO, and cytotoxic ONOO,,a main component of nitroxidative stress. The NO,/ONOO, imbalance increased membrane damage and cell apoptosis was partially reversed in the presence of free radical scavenger. The results suggest that UVB-induced and cNOS-produced NO, is rapidly scavenged by photolytically and enzymatically generated superoxide (O2,,) to produce high levels of ONOO,, which enhances oxidative injury and apoptosis of the irradiated cells. [source]


Identification of shed proteins from chinese hamster ovary cells: Application of statistical confidence using human and mouse protein databases

PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 7 2005
Mamoun Ahram
Abstract The shedding process releases ligands, receptors, and other proteins from the surface of the cell and is a mechanism whereby cells communicate. Even though altered regulation of this process has been implicated in several diseases, global approaches to evaluate shed proteins have not been developed. A goal of this study was to identify global changes in shed proteins in media taken from cells exposed to low-doses of radiation to develop a fundamental understanding of the bystander response. Chinese hamster ovary cells were chosen because they have been widely used for radiation studies and are reported to respond to radiation by releasing factors into the media that cause genomic instability and cytotoxicity in unexposed cells, i.e., a bystander effect. Media samples taken for irradiated cells were evaluated using a combination of tandem- and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR)-mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. Since the hamster genome has not been sequenced, MS data was searched against the mouse and human protein databases. Nearly 150 proteins identified by tandem mass spectrometry were confirmed by FT-ICR. When both types of MS data were evaluated, using a new confidence scoring tool based on discriminant analyses, about 500 proteins were identified. Approximately 20% of these identifications were either integral membrane proteins or membrane associated proteins, suggesting that they were derived from the cell surface and, hence were likely shed. However, estimates of quantitative changes, based on two independent MS approaches, did not identify any protein abundance changes attributable to the bystander effect. Results from this study demonstrate the feasibility of global evaluation of shed proteins using MS in conjunction with cross-species protein databases and that significant improvement in peptide/protein identifications is provided by the confidence scoring tool. [source]


Ongoing activation of p53 pathway responses is a long-term consequence of radiation exposure in vivo and associates with altered macrophage activities,

THE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
PJ Coates
Abstract The major adverse consequences of radiation exposure, including the initiation of leukaemia and other malignancies, are generally attributed to effects in the cell nucleus at the time of irradiation. However, genomic damage as a longer term consequence of radiation exposure has more recently been demonstrated due to untargeted radiation effects including delayed chromosomal instability and bystander effects. These processes, mainly studied in vitro, are characterized by un-irradiated cells demonstrating effects as though they themselves had been irradiated and have been associated with altered oxidative processes. To investigate the potential for these untargeted effects of radiation to produce delayed damaging events in vivo, we studied a well-characterized model of radiation-induced acute myeloid leukaemia in CBA/Ca mice. Haemopoietic tissues of irradiated CBA/Ca mice exhibit enhanced levels of p53 stabilization, increased levels of p21waf1, and increased amounts of apoptosis, as expected, in the first few hours post-irradiation, but also at much later times: weeks and months after the initial exposure. Because these responses are seen in cells that were not themselves directly irradiated but are the descendants of irradiated cells, the data are consistent with an initial radiation exposure leading to persistently increased levels of ongoing DNA damage, analogous to radiation-induced chromosomal instability. To investigate the potential source of ongoing oxidative processes, we show increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of damaging nitrogen/oxygen species in macrophages. Not all animals show increased oxidative activity or p53 responses as long-term consequences of irradiation, but increased levels of p53, p21, and apoptosis are directly correlated with increased 3-nitrotyrosine in individual mice post-irradiation. The data implicate persistent activation of inflammatory-type responses in irradiated tissues as a contributory bystander mechanism for causing delayed DNA damage. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Low-energy helium,neon laser induces melanocyte proliferation via interaction with type IV collagen: visible light as a therapeutic option for vitiligo

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
C-C.E. Lan
Summary Background, The treatment of vitiligo remains a challenge for clinical dermatologists. We have previously shown that the helium,neon laser (He,Ne laser, 632·8 nm) is a therapeutic option for treatment of this depigmentary disorder. Objectives, Addressing the intricate interactions between melanocytes, the most important cellular component in the repigmentation scheme of vitiligo, and their innate extracellular matrix collagen type IV, the current study aimed to elucidate the effects of the He,Ne laser on melanocytes. Methods, Cultured melanocytes were irradiated with the He,Ne laser. Relevant biological parameters including cell attachment, locomotion and growth were evaluated. In addition, the potentially involved molecular pathways were also determined. Results, Our results show that in addition to suppressing mobility but increasing attachment to type IV collagen, the He,Ne laser stimulates melanocyte proliferation through enhanced ,2,1 integrin expression. The expression of phosphorylated cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), an important regulator of melanocyte growth, was also upregulated by He,Ne laser treatment. Using a specific mitochondrial uncoupling agent [carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP)], the proliferative effect of the He,Ne laser on melanocytes was abolished and suppression of melanocyte growth was noted. Conclusions, In summary, we have demonstrated that the He,Ne laser imparts a growth stimulatory effect on functional melanocytes via mitochondria-related pathways and proposed that other minor pathways including DNA damage may also be inflicted by laser treatment on irradiated cells. More importantly, we have completed the repigmentation scheme of vitiligo brought about by He,Ne laser light in vitro and provided a solid theoretical basis regarding how the He,Ne laser induces recovery of vitiligo in vivo. [source]