Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Modulation of heat shock protein response in SH-SY5Y by mobile phone microwaves med./bio.

By: Calabro E, Condello S, Curro M, Ferlazzo N, Caccamo D, Magazu S, Ientile R

Published in: World J Biol Chem 2012; 3 (2): 34-40

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of radiofrequency exposure on the stress response in neuroblastoma cells, differentiated to dopaminergic neuron-like cells (induced by retinoic acid).

Endpoint

cellular stress response (heat shock protein expression, cell viability and apoptosis)

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,760 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h and 4 h	SAR: 0.086 W/kg (average) electric field strength: 25 V/m maximum magnetic field strength: 66 mA/m maximum power density: 1.7 W/m² maximum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,760 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h and 4 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone Samsung E1130
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	3 cm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	no increase of temperature was measured around the cultures during exposure

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.086 W/kg	-	calculated	-	average
electric field strength	25 V/m	maximum	measured	-	-
magnetic field strength	66 mA/m	maximum	measured	-	-
power density	1.7 W/m²	maximum	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cell line)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: heat shock protein expression (Hsp20, Hsp27, p-Hsp27 and Hsp90; Western blot)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability and apoptosis (MTT assay and caspase 3 expression (Western blot))

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
intact cell/cell culture
cell lysates

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under these experimental conditions, neither apoptosis nor Hsp27 expression nor caspase 3 expression were significantly changed following exposure. However, a significant decrease in Hsp20 expression was found at both times of exposure (2 and 4 h), whereas Hsp70 levels were significantly increased only after 4 h exposure (according to the abstract; within the results section, the authors also demonstrate a significant increase after the 2 h exposure compared with the sham exposed cells, remark EMF-Portal). Additionally, p-Hsp27 (phosphorylated Hsp27) expression was significantly increased in the exposed cells compared with the controls.
Remark EMF-Portal: The data on the cell viability are not clearly documented according to significance (in the abstract and discussion section: no change; within the results section: decrease), c.f. full text link.
The changes in the expression of the heat shock proteins in neuronal cells could be an early response to the microwave exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Kayhan H et al. (2016): Does MW Radiation Affect Gene Expression, Apoptotic Level, and Cell Cycle Progression of Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells?
Chen C et al. (2014): Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells
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