Neurite Retraction and Regrowth under Optical and Chemical Stimulations

We demonstrated that 473 nm blue light caused the neurite retraction in mouse neuroblastoma cell N2a, while 650 nm red light induced neurite regrowth. The myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin enhanced this red light-induced neurite regeneration. We also observed the actin wave propagating from the soma to the tip of a re-growing neurite. This red light-induced neurite regrowth did not occur in the calcium-free culture medium.