Molecular Mechanism of Malignant Transformation of Balb/c-3T3 Cells Induced by Long-Term Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR)

2022 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 900

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Molecular Mechanism of Malignant Transformation of Balb/c-3T3 Cells Induced by Long-Term Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR) Zhen Ding, Xiaoyong Xiang, Jintao Li, Shuicai Wu. Molecular Mechanism of Malignant Transformation of Balb/c- 3T3 Cells Induced by Long-Term Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR). Bioengineering (Basel). 2022 Jan 18;9(2):43. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering9020043. Abstract Purpose: We aimed to investigate RF-EMR-induced cell malignant transformation. Methods: We divided Balb/c-3T3 cells into sham and expo groups. The expo groups were exposed to a 1800 MHz RF continuous wave for 40 and 60 days, for 4 h per day. The sham group was sham-exposed. Cells were harvested for a cell transformation assay, transplantation in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice, soft agar clone formation detection, and a transwell assay. The mRNA microarray assay was used to declare key genes and pathways. Results: The exposed Balb/c-3T3 cells showed a strong increase in cell proliferation and migration. Malignant transformation was observed in expo Balb/c-3T3 cells exposed for 40 days and 60 days, which was symbolized with visible foci and clone formation. Expo Balb/c-3T3 cells that were exposed for 40 days and 60 days produced visible tumors in the SCID mice. Lipid metabolism was the key biological process and pathway involved. The mevalonate (MVA) pathway was the key metabolic pathway. The interacted miRNAs could be further research targets to examine the molecular mechanism of the carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure. Conclusion: Exposure for 40 and 60 days to 1800 MHz RF-EMR induced malignant transformation in Balb/c-3T3 cells at the SAR of 8.0 W/kg. We declared that lipid metabolism was the pivotal biological process and pathway. The MVA pathway was the key metabolic pathway. Open access paper: mdpi.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 directionharm

PopulationBalb/c-3T3 cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 8 W/kg · 40 and 60 days; 4 h/day; continuous wave

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Balb/c-3T3 cells exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMR (continuous wave) for 40 or 60 days (4 h/day) showed increased proliferation and migration, and malignant transformation indicated by visible foci and clone formation. Exposed cells produced visible tumors when transplanted into SCID mice; lipid metabolism, particularly the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, was identified as a key associated process/pathway.

Outcomes measured

cell malignant transformation
cell proliferation
cell migration
focus formation
soft agar clone formation
tumor formation in SCID mice after transplantation
gene expression (mRNA microarray)
lipid metabolism pathways (mevalonate/MVA pathway)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
In vitro model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
Exposure conditions include high SAR (8.0 W/kg)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": 8,
    "duration": "40 and 60 days; 4 h/day; continuous wave"
  },
  "population": "Balb/c-3T3 cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell malignant transformation",
    "cell proliferation",
    "cell migration",
    "focus formation",
    "soft agar clone formation",
    "tumor formation in SCID mice after transplantation",
    "gene expression (mRNA microarray)",
    "lipid metabolism pathways (mevalonate/MVA pathway)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Balb/c-3T3 cells exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMR (continuous wave) for 40 or 60 days (4 h/day) showed increased proliferation and migration, and malignant transformation indicated by visible foci and clone formation. Exposed cells produced visible tumors when transplanted into SCID mice; lipid metabolism, particularly the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, was identified as a key associated process/pathway.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Exposure conditions include high SAR (8.0 W/kg)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1800 MHz",
    "RF-EMR",
    "radiofrequency",
    "continuous wave",
    "SAR 8.0 W/kg",
    "Balb/c-3T3",
    "malignant transformation",
    "cell proliferation",
    "cell migration",
    "soft agar",
    "SCID mice",
    "lipid metabolism",
    "mevalonate pathway",
    "MVA"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study uses RF exposure with SAR reporting, potentially relevant to exposure guideline discussions, but no policy content in abstract."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/bioengineering9020043
PubMed: Not supplied

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