Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

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

full article

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according 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
General category: mobile communication system, mobile phone, GSM

Field characteristics	Parameters
1760 MHz exposure duration: continuous for 2 h and 4 h	SAR: 0.086 W/kg (average) electric field strength: 25 V/m max value magnetic field strength: 66 mA/m max value power flux density: 1.7 W/m² max value

Exposed system:
intact cell/cell culture (in vitro)
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))

Main outcome of study (according 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/none

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