Pulsed 980 nm near-infrared photobiomodulation attenuates OVA-induced allergic asthma by modulating Th2 cytokine responses and inflammatory cell infiltration

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive therapeutic strategy that uses specific light wavelengths to stimulate cellular processes that promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a high-intensity 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) pulsed laser in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. In OVA-sensitized mice, typical allergic features were noted, including airway wall thickening, significant peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration, and compressed alveolar spaces. NIR PBM treatment markedly attenuated these histological changes. At the molecular level, PBM significantly downregulated type 2 cytokine gene expression, including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, in the lung tissue. Flow cytometry analyses further revealed that PBM reduced the infiltration of pulmonary eosinophils and inflammatory monocytes. Transcriptomic profiling coupled with gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that PBM suppressed NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling while modulating Th2-related responses. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that high-intensity 980 nm NIR PBM effectively mitigates key features of allergic asthma in a murine model, supporting its potential as a non-pharmacological, non-invasive adjunct therapy for asthma management.