The non-thermal mechanisms, underlying the damage induced on human cells by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), are still unclear and only few studies reported about the effect of RFEMFs on self-renewal of neural progenitor cells. In this research, we investigated the influence of low-intensity RF-EMFs on Olfactory Ensheathing Cell (OEC) cultures, typical glia cells showing characteristics of stem cells. Cell cultures were exposed, in far-field condition, at 900 MHz continuous and amplitude modulated EMFs for 10, 15 and 20 min at 37°C. The expression of OEC marker (S-100), stem cell marker (Nestin), cytoskeletal proteins (GFAP and Vimentin), apoptotic pathway activation by Caspase-3 cleavage and cell viability, were evaluated. Surprisingly 20 min of exposure to continuous or amplitude modulated 900 MHz EMF induced a different and significant decrease in cell viability, some dynamic changes in the expression of the analysed markers and in the activation of the apoptotic pathway.

Non thermal effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on neural cells

Rosaria Grasso
;
Francesco Musumeci;Giuseppina Raciti;Agata Scordino;Giovanni Sposito;Antonio Triglia;Agatina Campisi
2020-01-01

Abstract

The non-thermal mechanisms, underlying the damage induced on human cells by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), are still unclear and only few studies reported about the effect of RFEMFs on self-renewal of neural progenitor cells. In this research, we investigated the influence of low-intensity RF-EMFs on Olfactory Ensheathing Cell (OEC) cultures, typical glia cells showing characteristics of stem cells. Cell cultures were exposed, in far-field condition, at 900 MHz continuous and amplitude modulated EMFs for 10, 15 and 20 min at 37°C. The expression of OEC marker (S-100), stem cell marker (Nestin), cytoskeletal proteins (GFAP and Vimentin), apoptotic pathway activation by Caspase-3 cleavage and cell viability, were evaluated. Surprisingly 20 min of exposure to continuous or amplitude modulated 900 MHz EMF induced a different and significant decrease in cell viability, some dynamic changes in the expression of the analysed markers and in the activation of the apoptotic pathway.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/389779
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