Mobile phone EMR affects Amyloid Precursor Protein and α-synuclein metabolism in SH-SY5Y cells

2019 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1885

Following low-level GSM EMF exposure (E = 10.51 V/m; SAR = 0.23 W/kg; 3×10 min over 2 days), the authors report alterations in APP processing and cellular topology, a shift in α-synuclein equilibrium toward monomeric forms, and induction of oxidative stress a…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Mobile phone EMR affects Amyloid Precursor Protein and α-synuclein metabolism in SH-SY5Y cells Stefi AL, Margaritis LH, Skouroliakou AS, Vassilacopoulou D. Mobile phone electromagnetic radiation affects Amyloid Precursor Protein and α-synuclein metabolism in SH-SY5Y cells. Pathophysiology. Published online March 1, 2019. doi.org. Highlights • GSM radiation applied to SH-SY5Y cells: • Causes alternative APP metabolism. • Shifts the equilibrium from multimeric to the monomeric form of α-synuclein. • Induces oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. • Contributes to the Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pathogenetic mechanisms. Abstract In this study, the effects of low-level, GSM emitted ElectroMagnetic Field (EMF) on Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in human neuroblastoma cells was investigated. Our data indicated alterations on APP processing and cellular topology, following EMF exposure (ℇ = 10.51 V/m, SAR = 0.23 W/kg, exposure time: 3 times, for 10 minutes, for 2 days). Furthermore, changes in monomeric α-syn accumulation and multimerization, as well as induction of oxidative stress and cell death, were documented. The results presented here require further investigation to determine potential links of EMF with the molecular pathogenic mechanisms in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, the work presented here, seems to be the first report linking exposure to EMF emitted by a transmitting mobile phone, to altered metabolism of APP and α-syn in SH-SY5Y cells. The observed increase in monomeric α-syn along with the generation of novel amyloidogenic fragments possessing alternative cellular topology, in addition to the induction of cellular toxicity and oxidative stress, should be taken into consideration in future research aiming towards the understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking EMR to human health. It is possible that wireless communications, may represent a new factor affecting human health while exposure to these devices could be involved in pathogenic mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration. sciencedirect.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

PopulationSH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 0.23 W/kg · 3 times for 10 minutes, for 2 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) processing/metabolism
APP cellular topology
α-synuclein (α-syn) monomeric accumulation and multimerization
Oxidative stress
Cell death/cytotoxicity

Limitations

In vitro cell model (SH-SY5Y), not human clinical outcomes
Frequency not specified in the abstract/metadata
Sample size and detailed methods not provided in the abstract
Authors note results require further investigation to determine potential links to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease mechanisms

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 0.23,
    "duration": "3 times for 10 minutes, for 2 days"
  },
  "population": "SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) processing/metabolism",
    "APP cellular topology",
    "α-synuclein (α-syn) monomeric accumulation and multimerization",
    "Oxidative stress",
    "Cell death/cytotoxicity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Following low-level GSM EMF exposure (E = 10.51 V/m; SAR = 0.23 W/kg; 3×10 min over 2 days), the authors report alterations in APP processing and cellular topology, a shift in α-synuclein equilibrium toward monomeric forms, and induction of oxidative stress and cell death in SH-SY5Y cells.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell model (SH-SY5Y), not human clinical outcomes",
    "Frequency not specified in the abstract/metadata",
    "Sample size and detailed methods not provided in the abstract",
    "Authors note results require further investigation to determine potential links to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease mechanisms"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "mobile phone",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "EMF",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "RF",
    "SH-SY5Y",
    "Amyloid Precursor Protein",
    "APP",
    "alpha-synuclein",
    "oxidative stress",
    "cytotoxicity",
    "Alzheimer's disease",
    "Parkinson's disease"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines GSM EMF emitted by a transmitting mobile phone."
    },
    {
      "slug": "neurodegeneration",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Outcomes include APP and α-synuclein metabolism with discussion of Alzheimer’s/Parkinson’s mechanisms."
    }
  ]
}

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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.pathophys.2019.02.004
PubMed: Not supplied

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