The expansion of optogenetics via the development and application of new opsins has opened a new world of possibilities as a research and therapeutic tool. Nevertheless, it has also raised questions about the innocuity of using light irradiation on tissues and cells such as those from the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). Thus, to investigate the potential of PNS being affected by optogenetic light irradiation, rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells were isolated and their response to light irradiation examined in vitro. Light irradiation was delivered as millisecond pulses at wavelengths in the visible spectrum between 627 and 470 nm, with doses ranging between 4.5 and 18 J/cm² at an irradiance value of 1 mW/mm². Results show that compared to cultures kept in dark conditions, light irradiation at 470 nm reduced neurite outgrowth in dissociated dorsal root neurons in a dose dependent manner while higher wavelengths had no effect on neuron morphology. Although neurite outgrowth was limited by light irradiation, no signs of cell death or apoptosis were found. On the other hand, peripheral glia, Schwann cells, were insensitive to light irradiation with metabolism, proliferation, and RNA levels of transcription factors c-Jun and krox-20 remaining unaltered following stimulation. As the fields of photostimulation and optogenetics expand, these results indicate the need for consideration to cell type response and stimulation parameters for applications in vitro and further investigation on specific mechanisms driving response.

通过开发和应用新视蛋白来扩展光遗传学，为研究和治疗工具开辟了新的可能性。然而，它也引起了关于在组织和细胞上使用光照射的无害性的问题，例如来自周围神经系统（PNS）的组织和细胞。因此，为了研究光遗传光照射对PNS的影响，我们分离了大鼠背根神经节神经元和雪旺氏细胞，并在体外检查了它们对光照射的反应。在627至470 nm的可见光谱范围内，以毫秒脉冲形式发出光辐射，辐照值为1 mW / mm ²，剂量范围为4.5至18 J / cm ²。。结果表明，与保持黑暗条件下的培养相比，在470 nm处进行的光照射以剂量依赖的方式减少了离解的背根神经元的神经突生长，而更高的波长对神经元的形态没有影响。尽管神经突生长受光照射的限制，但未发现细胞死亡或凋亡的迹象。另一方面，周围神经胶质细胞，施旺细胞对光辐射不敏感，其代谢，增殖和转录因子c-Jun和krox-20的RNA水平在刺激后保持不变。随着光刺激和光遗传学领域的扩大，这些结果表明需要考虑细胞类型的反应和刺激参数以用于体外应用 并进一步研究驱动响应的特定机制。