Exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field modulates ROS in human HEK293 cells as a function of signal amplitude

2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 874

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field modulates ROS in human HEK293 cells as a function of signal amplitude Marootpong Pooam, Nathalie Jourdan, Blanche Aguida, Cyril Dahon, Soria Baouz, Colin Terry, Haider Raad, Margaret Ahmad. Exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field modulates ROS in human HEK293 cells as a function of signal amplitude. Communicative & Integrative Biology, 15:1, 54-66, 2022, doi: 10.1080/19420889.2022.2027698. Abstract The modern telecommunications industry is ubiquitous throughout the world, with a significant percentage of the population using cellular phones on a daily basis. The possible physiological consequences of wireless emissions in the GHz range are therefore of major interest, but remain poorly understood. Here, we show that exposure to a 1.8 GHz carrier frequency in the amplitude range of household telecommunications induces the formation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) in human HEK293 cultured cells. The ROS concentrations detected by fluorescent imaging techniques increased significantly after 15 minutes of RF field exposure, and were localized to both nuclear and cytosolic cellular compartments. qPCR analysis showed altered gene expression of both anti-oxidative (SOD, GPX, GPX, and CAT) and oxidative (Nox-2) enzymes. In addition, multiple genes previously identified as responsive to static magnetic fields were found to also be regulated by RF, suggesting common features in response mechanisms. By contrast, many RF effects showed evidence of hormesis, whereby biological responsivity does not occur linearly as a function of signal amplitude. Instead, biphasic dose response curves occur with ‘blind’ spots at certain signal amplitudes where no measureable response occurs. We conclude that modulation of intracellular ROS can be a direct consequence of RF exposure dependent on signal frequency and amplitude. Since changes in intracellular ROS may have both harmful and beneficial effects, these could provide the basis for many reported physiological effects of RF exposure. Conclusion In conclusion, we show that exposure to RF within the amplitude range emitted by household telecommunication devices can have a direct and immediate physiological effect on cellular ROS biosynthesis and signaling. This response is dependent in complex ways on RF signal amplitude, consistent with a biological receptor mediated process. The response to RF further shares common features with modulation of ROS by static magnetic fields. Since ROS regulates oxidative stress and cellular signaling and response pathways, our results provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the many different reported physiological effects of RF in the literature. tandfonline.com

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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 HEK293 cultured cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 15 minutes

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

Exposure to a 1.8 GHz RF carrier frequency in the amplitude range of household telecommunications increased ROS in HEK293 cells after 15 minutes, with ROS localized to nuclear and cytosolic compartments. qPCR showed altered expression of anti-oxidative (SOD, GPX, CAT) and oxidative (Nox-2) enzymes, and the authors report biphasic (hormetic) amplitude-dependent responses with amplitudes showing no measurable response.

Outcomes measured

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (fluorescent imaging)
Subcellular localization of ROS (nuclear and cytosolic)
Gene expression changes by qPCR (anti-oxidative enzymes: SOD, GPX, CAT; oxidative enzyme: Nox-2)
Expression of genes previously identified as responsive to static magnetic fields
Dose-response/hormesis (biphasic response; 'blind' spots at certain amplitudes)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Exposure metric details (e.g., SAR, field strength, modulation specifics) not provided in the provided abstract/metadata
In vitro model (HEK293 cells) may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "household telecommunications devices",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "15 minutes"
  },
  "population": "Human HEK293 cultured cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (fluorescent imaging)",
    "Subcellular localization of ROS (nuclear and cytosolic)",
    "Gene expression changes by qPCR (anti-oxidative enzymes: SOD, GPX, CAT; oxidative enzyme: Nox-2)",
    "Expression of genes previously identified as responsive to static magnetic fields",
    "Dose-response/hormesis (biphasic response; 'blind' spots at certain amplitudes)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to a 1.8 GHz RF carrier frequency in the amplitude range of household telecommunications increased ROS in HEK293 cells after 15 minutes, with ROS localized to nuclear and cytosolic compartments. qPCR showed altered expression of anti-oxidative (SOD, GPX, CAT) and oxidative (Nox-2) enzymes, and the authors report biphasic (hormetic) amplitude-dependent responses with amplitudes showing no measurable response.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure metric details (e.g., SAR, field strength, modulation specifics) not provided in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "In vitro model (HEK293 cells) may not generalize to in vivo human health outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "1.8 GHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF exposure",
    "ROS",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "HEK293",
    "oxidative stress",
    "qPCR",
    "SOD",
    "GPX",
    "CAT",
    "Nox-2",
    "hormesis",
    "biphasic dose response",
    "telecommunications"
  ],
  "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: 10.1080/19420889.2022.2027698
PubMed: Not supplied

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