Localized ROS Generation with UV light in Differentiating Human Neural Progenitor Cells

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and the associated condition of excess ROS, oxidative stress, has been implicated in a number of diseases including neurodegeneration. However, ROS are also crucial second messengers with beneficial impacts. Within neural cells, ROS signals are known to impact maturation of cells as well as memory and learning. Photobiomodulation (PBM), the use of light to impact cells/tissue, is a promising way to noninvasively modulate ROS. This study investigates the effects of PBM using 370 nm light to increase ROS levels in human neural progenitor cells (hNPC), and study potential impacts on calcium dynamics. We find 370 nm light to be effective at inducing ROS within hNPC. The photoinduction of ROS only impacts ROS levels in illuminated cells, with no measurable signal relay to non-illuminated cells within the acute time period we examined. The increase in ROS generated by our UV light exposure creates elevated basal levels of calcium, but does not impact spontaneous calcium signaling in networks of hNPC cells.