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Immunomodulatory role of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in human leukemia monocytic cell line

Environ Pollut · 2023 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 475

Human leukemia monocytic cells exposed to 2318 MHz mobile-phone radiofrequency radiation showed time-dependent immunomodulatory effects. After 30 min, IL-1α, nitric oxide, and superoxide increased versus control; after 60 min, phagocytic activity decreased; b…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Pollut · 2023
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Immunomodulatory role of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in human leukemia monocytic cell line Yadav H, Singh R. Immunomodulatory role of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in human leukemia monocytic cell line. Environ Pollut. 2023 May 17;331(Pt 2):121843. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121843. Abstract In daily life, people are usually exposed to radiofrequency radiations (RFR). The effects of RFR on human physiology have been a major source of controversy since the WHO declared that these radiations are a type of environmental energy that interacts with the physiological functioning of the human body. The immune system provides internal protection and promotes long-term health and survival. However, the relevant research on the innate immune system and radiofrequency radiation is scant. In this connection, we hypothesized that innate immune responses would be influenced by exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones in a cell-specific and time-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, human leukemia monocytic cell lines were exposed to 2318 MHz (MHz) RFR emitted by mobile phones at a power density of 0.224 W/m2 in a controlled manner for various time durations (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min). Systematic studies on cell viability, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (SO), pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and phagocytic assays were performed after the irradiation. The duration of exposure seems to have a substantial influence on the RFR- induced effects. It was noticed that after 30 min of exposure, the RFR dramatically enhanced the pro- inflammatory cytokine IL-1α level as well as reactive species such as NO and SO generation as compared to the control. In contrast, the RFR dramatically reduced the phagocytic activity of monocytes during 60 min of treatment when compared to the control. Interestingly, the irradiated cells restored their normal functioning until the final 120-min of exposure. Furthermore, mobile phone exposure had no influence on cell viability or TNF-α level. The results showed that RFR exhibits a time-dependent immune-modulatory role in the human leukemia monocytic cell line. Nevertheless, more research is needed to further determine the long-term effects and precise mechanism of action of RFR. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 typein_vitro
Effect directionmixed
Populationhuman leukemia monocytic cell line
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 2318 MHz · 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 95% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human leukemia monocytic cells exposed to 2318 MHz mobile-phone radiofrequency radiation showed time-dependent immunomodulatory effects. After 30 min, IL-1α, nitric oxide, and superoxide increased versus control; after 60 min, phagocytic activity decreased; by 120 min, cells reportedly restored normal functioning. Cell viability and TNF-α were not influenced.

Outcomes measured

  • cell viability
  • nitric oxide (NO) generation
  • superoxide (SO) generation
  • pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1α
  • TNF-α level
  • phagocytic activity

Limitations

  • in vitro cell-line study
  • time-dependent effects varied across exposure durations
  • long-term effects were not assessed
  • mechanism of action was not determined
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 2318,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min"
  },
  "population": "human leukemia monocytic cell line",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell viability",
    "nitric oxide (NO) generation",
    "superoxide (SO) generation",
    "pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1α",
    "TNF-α level",
    "phagocytic activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human leukemia monocytic cells exposed to 2318 MHz mobile-phone radiofrequency radiation showed time-dependent immunomodulatory effects. After 30 min, IL-1α, nitric oxide, and superoxide increased versus control; after 60 min, phagocytic activity decreased; by 120 min, cells reportedly restored normal functioning. Cell viability and TNF-α were not influenced.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "in vitro cell-line study",
    "time-dependent effects varied across exposure durations",
    "long-term effects were not assessed",
    "mechanism of action was not determined"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "RF",
    "mobile phone",
    "2318 MHz",
    "monocytes",
    "human leukemia monocytic cell line",
    "innate immune response",
    "IL-1α",
    "TNF-α",
    "nitric oxide",
    "superoxide",
    "phagocytosis",
    "immunomodulation",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121843
PubMed: 37207815

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