In literature there are many evidences suggesting the ability of high frequency (3 MHz - 300 GHz) electromagnetic fields to influence biological systems, interfering with some regulation and control processes. However, up to date, the action mechanisms are not well understood. It should better clarified their connection with the characteristics of the impinging electromagnetic field, that is Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), exposure time (chronic or acute), frequency and type of modulation [1, 2, 3]. In these contribution, we present the first results assessing the non-thermal effects induced by exposure on primary Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OECs) to continuous and amplitude modulated 900 MHz EMF, in far field condition and at different time expositions (10, 15, 20 minutes). OECs are typical glial cells showing characteristics of stem cells. They express several growth factors, are able to promote axonal regeneration and functional restoration in the injured sites of Central Nervous System [4]. Furthermore, since it is known that a reduced functionality of olfactory system represents an early sign of neurodegeneration. The OECs were isolated from olfactory from bulb of 2-day old mouse pups and divided into three groups (control, sham and tests). The control samples were kept in the incubator at 37 ° C in an environment of humidified air and CO2 (95% -5%). Sham and tests were placed in a thermostatic bath, appropriately realized, at 37°C for the duration of the exposure. As sham, it is intended a sample treated as test samples but not exposed to EMFs. The tests were exposed in far-field conditions to EMFs at 900 MHz continuous (CW 900 MHZ) and amplitude modulated at 50 Hz (AW 900 MHz), electromagnetic wave amplitude ~ 7 V / m in both exposure modes, and at three exposure times: 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The expression of the marker proteins of the OECs (S-100 and Nestin) and of the cytoskeletal proteins (GFAP and Vimentin) was evaluated by immunocytochemistry, as well as the cell viability by MTT test. The experimental results showed that the exposure to the CEM-RF used was able to induce a significant decrease in cell viability, changes in morphology and expression of the analyzed markers compared to the control cell cultures (incubator and sham). Surprisingly, these effects show a kinetic as function of time exposition and on the presence or absence of amplitude modulation. Studies are now in progress to better clarify the molecular mechanisms induced by EMF on OECs, in order to highlight also the involvement of glutamate receptors.
Non-thermal effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on neural stem cells
Pellitteri Rosalia;
2018
Abstract
In literature there are many evidences suggesting the ability of high frequency (3 MHz - 300 GHz) electromagnetic fields to influence biological systems, interfering with some regulation and control processes. However, up to date, the action mechanisms are not well understood. It should better clarified their connection with the characteristics of the impinging electromagnetic field, that is Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), exposure time (chronic or acute), frequency and type of modulation [1, 2, 3]. In these contribution, we present the first results assessing the non-thermal effects induced by exposure on primary Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OECs) to continuous and amplitude modulated 900 MHz EMF, in far field condition and at different time expositions (10, 15, 20 minutes). OECs are typical glial cells showing characteristics of stem cells. They express several growth factors, are able to promote axonal regeneration and functional restoration in the injured sites of Central Nervous System [4]. Furthermore, since it is known that a reduced functionality of olfactory system represents an early sign of neurodegeneration. The OECs were isolated from olfactory from bulb of 2-day old mouse pups and divided into three groups (control, sham and tests). The control samples were kept in the incubator at 37 ° C in an environment of humidified air and CO2 (95% -5%). Sham and tests were placed in a thermostatic bath, appropriately realized, at 37°C for the duration of the exposure. As sham, it is intended a sample treated as test samples but not exposed to EMFs. The tests were exposed in far-field conditions to EMFs at 900 MHz continuous (CW 900 MHZ) and amplitude modulated at 50 Hz (AW 900 MHz), electromagnetic wave amplitude ~ 7 V / m in both exposure modes, and at three exposure times: 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The expression of the marker proteins of the OECs (S-100 and Nestin) and of the cytoskeletal proteins (GFAP and Vimentin) was evaluated by immunocytochemistry, as well as the cell viability by MTT test. The experimental results showed that the exposure to the CEM-RF used was able to induce a significant decrease in cell viability, changes in morphology and expression of the analyzed markers compared to the control cell cultures (incubator and sham). Surprisingly, these effects show a kinetic as function of time exposition and on the presence or absence of amplitude modulation. Studies are now in progress to better clarify the molecular mechanisms induced by EMF on OECs, in order to highlight also the involvement of glutamate receptors.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
