Analysis of global DNA methylation changes in human keratinocytes immediately following exposure to a

Bioelectromagnetics · 2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 531

Human keratinocytes exposed to a 900 MHz RF-EMF for 1 h (estimated mean SAR <10 mW/kg) showed immediate changes in DNA methylation patterns, with early differentially methylated genes identified. Correlating methylation with gene expression identified six tar…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2023

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Analysis of global DNA methylation changes in human keratinocytes immediately following exposure to a 900 MHz radiofrequency field Cantu JC, Butterworth JW, Peralta XG, Payne JA, Echchgadda I. Analysis of global DNA methylation changes in human keratinocytes immediately following exposure to a 900 MHz radiofrequency field. Bioelectromagnetics. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1002/bem.22439. Abstract The increasing use of nonionizing radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) in a wide range of technologies necessitates studies to further understanding of biological effects from exposures to such forms of electromagnetic fields. While previous studies have described mechanisms for cellular changes occurring following exposure to low-intensity RF-EMFs, the role of molecular epigenetics has not been thoroughly investigated. Specifically unresolved is the effect of RF-EMFs on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, which is a powerful epigenetic process, used by cells to regulate gene expression. DNA methylation is dynamic and can be rapidly triggered in response to external stimuli such as exposure to RF-EMFs. In the present study, we performed a global analysis of DNA methylation patterns in human keratinocytes exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMFs for 1 h at a low dose rate (estimated mean specific absorption rate (SAR) < 10 mW/kg). We used a custom system to allow stable exposure of cell cultures to RF-EMFs under biologically relevant conditions (37 °C, 5% CO2 , 95% humidity). We performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing directly following RF-EMF exposure to examine the immediate changes in DNA methylation patterns and identify early differentially methylated genes in RF-EMF-exposed keratinocytes. By correlating global gene expression to whole genome bisulfite sequencing, we identified six common targets that were both differentially methylated and differentially expressed in response to RF-EMF exposure. The results highlight a potential epigenetic role in the cellular response to RF- EMFs. Particularly, the six identified targets may potentially be developed as epigenetic biomarkers for immediate responses to RF-EMF exposure. 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 keratinocyte cell cultures

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 0.01 W/kg · 1 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Global DNA methylation patterns (whole genome bisulfite sequencing)
Differentially methylated genes
Global gene expression
Differentially expressed genes
Overlap of differentially methylated and differentially expressed targets (six common targets)

Limitations

In vitro cell culture study; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo conditions
Exposure described as low dose rate with an estimated mean SAR (<10 mW/kg); uncertainty in exact absorbed dose
Immediate post-exposure assessment only; no longer-term follow-up reported in abstract
Sample size/replication not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 0.01,
    "duration": "1 h"
  },
  "population": "Human keratinocyte cell cultures",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Global DNA methylation patterns (whole genome bisulfite sequencing)",
    "Differentially methylated genes",
    "Global gene expression",
    "Differentially expressed genes",
    "Overlap of differentially methylated and differentially expressed targets (six common targets)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human keratinocytes exposed to a 900 MHz RF-EMF for 1 h (estimated mean SAR <10 mW/kg) showed immediate changes in DNA methylation patterns, with early differentially methylated genes identified. Correlating methylation with gene expression identified six targets that were both differentially methylated and differentially expressed following exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture study; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo conditions",
    "Exposure described as low dose rate with an estimated mean SAR (<10 mW/kg); uncertainty in exact absorbed dose",
    "Immediate post-exposure assessment only; no longer-term follow-up reported in abstract",
    "Sample size/replication not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "900 MHz",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "human keratinocytes",
    "DNA methylation",
    "epigenetics",
    "whole genome bisulfite sequencing",
    "gene expression",
    "biomarkers"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.22439
PubMed: 36999566

Read the original paper →

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