Background: Recent evidence suggests a link between venous thromboembolism (VTE) development and activation of the innate immune system. Studies suggest that light therapy, or photobiomodulation, augments immunity.
Aims: Develop a novel VTE prophylactic strategy utilizing photobiomodulation.
Methods: WT C57BL/6J mice were exposed to ambient (n=13, fluorescent white light, 300 lux), red (n=13, 617nm, 1,700 lux), and blue (n=13, 421nm, 1,700 lux) light with 12:12h light:dark cycle. After 72h light exposure, mice underwent a model of VTE that includes ligation of the inferior vena cava. Thrombus and blood samples were harvested for analysis. Platelet aggregation and activation (CD41+/CD62P+) were evaluated. Platelet releasate was isolated and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis) was measured. Groups were compared with parametric (mean±SD, t-test) or non-parametric tests (median[interquartile range], Mann-Whitney test) depending on distribution of data. Patients undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of blue-light filtering intraocular lenses (IOL) versus Natural IOL were evaluated for risk of VTE using multivariable logistic regression clustered by hospital.
Results: Red-light exposure markedly reduced clot weight compared to ambient- and blue-light exposed mice (ambient 21[13-23]mg, red 2[0-7.75]mg, blue 21[18-29]mg; p
Conclusion(s): Exposure to red-light reduced thrombus burden in a murine model of VTE. Reduced platelet activation and stimulation of neutrophils may be integral to reduce thrombosis. Human cataract patients display reduced VTE after unmasking the benefit of red-light. Photobiomodulation is potentially a promising alternative for VTE prophylaxis.
Image
Figure 1. Red-light -peak 617nm- exposure results in reduced thrombus burden compared to ambient light exposure and lower wavelength blue light -peak 421nm- exposure. Error bars represent median ± interquartile range. Comparison tests performed as two-sided Mann-Whitney tests due to non-normal distribution of data.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Andraska E, Kaltenmeier C, arivudainambi A, Mihalko E, Dyer M, Shea S, Steinman R, Rosengart M, Neal M. Red-light exposure reduces venous thrombosis in mice [abstract]. https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/red-light-exposure-reduces-venous-thrombosis-in-mice/. Accessed December 6, 2023.« Back to ISTH 2022 Congress
ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/red-light-exposure-reduces-venous-thrombosis-in-mice/