Wnt/β-Catenin and ERK Pathway Activation: A Possible Mechanism of Photobiomodulation Therapy with Light-Emitting Diodes That Regulate the Proliferation of Human Outer Root Sheath Cells

The study by Jung E. Kim and colleagues from September 25, 2017, explored the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using LEDs on human outer root sheath cells (hORSCs). They found that LED light, especially at 660 nm with an energy density of 10 J/cm², significantly increased hORSC proliferation and migration while reducing apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and ERK signaling pathways. Furthermore, LED-treated hORSCs also promoted the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), indicating that PBMT with LED light could be a viable approach for promoting hair growth by targeting specific cellular mechanisms.