Can Electromagnetic Fields Modulate Inflammation and Cell Death by Acting on the Immune System? (Review)

2023 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 344

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Can Electromagnetic Fields Modulate Inflammation and Cell Death by Acting on the Immune System? (Review) López-Martín ME, Sueiro-Benavides RA, Leiro-Vidal JM, Rodríguez-González JA, Ares-Pena FJ. Can Electromagnetic Fields Modulate Inflammation and Cell Death by Acting on the Immune System? IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 92167-92187, 2023, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3308225. Abstract Programmed cell death constitutes a fundamental part of the immune response to viral infection. This process forms part of the host defence mechanism and also enables establishment of biomarkers of disease severity. Natural or anthropogenic sources of microwaves emit energy and may alter the ecology of the SAR-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19 disease) in the environment. Determining the associated effects on the immune system and on the health of hosts with COVID-19 disease is thus important. In this review paper, we consider studies analyzing the influence of electromagnetic fields on innate and acquired immune responses in humans, and above all on preclinical experimental animal models and in vitro models, and we also consider studies analyzing immunity acquired from COVID-19 infections associated with cell death. We focus on the effects of electromagnetic fields and the influence of oxidative stress on stimulation or immunomodulation, the inflammatory response, autoimmunity and the participation of intracellular calcium channels in the immunology of COVID-19 disease. Non-ionizing radiation can activate or reduce the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and the entry of intracellular calcium and can facilitate or reduce cell death. The review of experimental study findings indicates that exposure to non-ionizing radiation can also have a bidirectional effect on the immune system, either slowing down or enhancing the processes that lead to the cell death associated with COVID-19 disease. VIII. Conclusion This review highlights the large number of studies involving different EMF parameters and experimental conditions, which hamper direct comparison of the findings. It is therefore difficult to reach conclusions regarding the impact of non-ionizing radiation sources on COVID-19 disease. Nonetheless, we conclude the following: 1. All models used to study the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and the immune system of mammals (in or in vitro) show that non-ionizing radiation can activate or reduce the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and can have positive or negative manifestations in COVID-19 disease, depending on the radiation frequency, intensity or modulation and the exposure time. 2. Intracellular calcium entry can also be modulated by beneficial or adverse effects of EMF on inflammation and/or cell death [170]. Both sides of the coin [179] must also be taken into account in regard to progression to severe COVID-19 disease (Figure 1). 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated great advances in the study of the pathophysiology of viral diseases. However, further research regarding the influence of natural or artificial sources of EMFs on communicable viral diseases is required as this could have important implications for human health. 4. In light of the data reviewed, future research should be directed towards validating experimental models that demonstrate the direct or indirect biological effects of non-ionizing radiation on host immunity in relation to COVID-19 infection. Scientific findings could be applied to limit the environmental risks that act together with viral infections as well as assess new therapeutic tools. ieeexplore.ieee.org

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHumans and preclinical experimental animal and in vitro models (as reviewed)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes studies on electromagnetic fields/non-ionizing radiation and immune responses, with emphasis on animal and in vitro models and relevance to COVID-19. The reviewed experimental findings indicate non-ionizing radiation can either activate or reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, intracellular calcium entry, and can facilitate or reduce cell death, with effects depending on frequency, intensity/modulation, and exposure time. The authors state that heterogeneity of EMF parameters and experimental conditions hampers direct comparison and makes it difficult to reach firm conclusions about impacts on COVID-19 disease.

Outcomes measured

Innate immune response
Acquired immune response
Inflammatory response
Oxidative stress
Autoimmunity
Intracellular calcium entry/channels
Programmed cell death
COVID-19 disease severity/manifestations

Limitations

Heterogeneity of EMF parameters and experimental conditions hampers direct comparison of findings
Difficult to reach conclusions regarding the impact of non-ionizing radiation sources on COVID-19 disease based on the reviewed literature
Need for further research and validation of experimental models (as stated by authors)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "natural or anthropogenic sources of microwaves / non-ionizing radiation",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Humans and preclinical experimental animal and in vitro models (as reviewed)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Innate immune response",
    "Acquired immune response",
    "Inflammatory response",
    "Oxidative stress",
    "Autoimmunity",
    "Intracellular calcium entry/channels",
    "Programmed cell death",
    "COVID-19 disease severity/manifestations"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes studies on electromagnetic fields/non-ionizing radiation and immune responses, with emphasis on animal and in vitro models and relevance to COVID-19. The reviewed experimental findings indicate non-ionizing radiation can either activate or reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, intracellular calcium entry, and can facilitate or reduce cell death, with effects depending on frequency, intensity/modulation, and exposure time. The authors state that heterogeneity of EMF parameters and experimental conditions hampers direct comparison and makes it difficult to reach firm conclusions about impacts on COVID-19 disease.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Heterogeneity of EMF parameters and experimental conditions hampers direct comparison of findings",
    "Difficult to reach conclusions regarding the impact of non-ionizing radiation sources on COVID-19 disease based on the reviewed literature",
    "Need for further research and validation of experimental models (as stated by authors)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "microwaves",
    "immune system",
    "inflammation",
    "oxidative stress",
    "intracellular calcium",
    "cell death",
    "COVID-19",
    "SARS-CoV-2",
    "immunomodulation",
    "autoimmunity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "covid-19",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Review focuses on EMF effects on immunity and cell death in relation to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1109/access.2023.3308225
PubMed: Not supplied

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