Stimulation of $col2a$1 gene expression with low-power laser radiation as a means to induce cartilage formation

Elevated expression of the $col2a$1 gene responsible for synthesis of type II collagen, a major extracellular matrix protein of hyaline cartilage, was observed in multipotent stem cells of rat bone marrow exposed to low-power laser radiation with a wavelength of 0.63 $\mu$m and power of 1.7 mW. The result suggests that this procedure may be employed in treatment of diseases associated with damage to the surface of articular cartilage.