A review on the effects of ELF-EMF on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity

2018 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 1951

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

A review on the effects of ELF-EMF on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity Mahaki H, Tanzadehpanah H, Jabarivasal N, Sardanian K, Zamani A. A review on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity. Electromagn Biol Med. 2018 Dec 6:1-12. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545668 Abstract Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is produced extensively in modern technologies. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that ELF-EMF has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the immune system response. This review was conducted on effects of ELF-EMF on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity. Mechanisms of ELF-EMF, which may modulate immune cell responses, were also studied. Physical and biological parameters of ELF-EMF can interact with each other to create beneficial or harmful effect on the immune cell responses by interfering with the inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines. According to the studies, it is supposed that short-term (2-24 h/d up to a week) exposure of ELF-EMF with strong density may increase innate immune response due to an increase of innate immunity cytokines. Furthermore, long-term (2- 24 h/d up to 8 years) exposure to low-density ELF-EMF may cause a decrease in adaptive immune response, especially in Th1 subset. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusion In this review, we reported a summary of ELF-EMF effects on the expression and release of cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity, which have been described in many investigations. Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of ELF-EMF on cytokine expression can be observed as a complex process associated with physical and biological factors of ELF-EMF. Based on the results of reviewed studies, short-term (2 to 24 h/d up to a week) exposure of strong density ELF-EMF probably increases the innate immune response. Furthermore, adaptive immune response may be reduced at long-term (2 to 24 h/d up to 8 years) exposure of low density ELF-EMF, especially for the Th1 subset. Altogether, it is difficult to conclude the beneficial or hazard effects of ELF-EMF on immune cells response, due to the differences in physical (frequency, field density, field direction, and exposure duration) and biological parameters (stimulus, species, cell type, and tissue type) of ELF-EMF.

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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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · Short-term (2–24 h/day up to a week) and long-term (2–24 h/day up to 8 years) exposures discussed

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

The review summarizes in vitro and in vivo evidence that ELF-EMF can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cytokine expression/release in innate and adaptive immunity. Reviewed studies suggest short-term exposure at strong field density may increase innate immune response (via increased innate cytokines), while long-term exposure at low density may decrease adaptive immune response, especially Th1.

Outcomes measured

Cytokine expression and release
Innate immune response cytokines
Adaptive immune response (Th1 subset) cytokines
Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines

Limitations

Authors note difficulty drawing firm conclusions due to heterogeneity in physical exposure parameters (frequency, field density, field direction, duration) and biological parameters (stimulus, species, cell type, tissue type).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Short-term (2–24 h/day up to a week) and long-term (2–24 h/day up to 8 years) exposures discussed"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cytokine expression and release",
    "Innate immune response cytokines",
    "Adaptive immune response (Th1 subset) cytokines",
    "Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review summarizes in vitro and in vivo evidence that ELF-EMF can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cytokine expression/release in innate and adaptive immunity. Reviewed studies suggest short-term exposure at strong field density may increase innate immune response (via increased innate cytokines), while long-term exposure at low density may decrease adaptive immune response, especially Th1.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Authors note difficulty drawing firm conclusions due to heterogeneity in physical exposure parameters (frequency, field density, field direction, duration) and biological parameters (stimulus, species, cell type, tissue type)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "cytokines",
    "innate immunity",
    "adaptive immunity",
    "Th1",
    "immune response",
    "inflammatory cytokines",
    "anti-inflammatory cytokines"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Long-term ELF-EMF exposure (up to 8 years) is discussed, which can be relevant to occupational settings, though no specific source is stated."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545668
PubMed: Not supplied

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