The effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields on T cell function during development

J Radiat Res · 2015 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2728

Study snapshot

PublicationJ Radiat Res · 2015

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

With the widespread use of radio-frequency devices, it is increasingly important to understand the biological effects of the associated electromagnetic fields. Thus, we investigated the effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on T cell responses during development due to the lack of science-based evidence for RF-EMF effects on developmental immune systems. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to 2.14-GHz wideband code division multiple-access (W-CDMA) RF signals at a whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.2 W/kg. Exposures were performed for a total of 9 weeks spanning in utero development, lactation and the juvenile period. Rats were continuously exposed to RF-EMF for 20 h/day, 7 days/week. Comparisons of control and exposed rats using flow cytometry revealed no changes in the numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells, activated T cells or regulatory T cells among peripheral blood cells, splenocytes and thymocytes. Expression levels of 16 genes that regulate the immunological Th1/Th2 paradigm were analyzed using real-time PCR in the spleen and thymus tissues of control and RF-EMF-exposed rats. Although only the Il5 gene was significantly regulated in spleen tissues, Il4, Il5 and Il23a genes were significantly upregulated in thymus tissues following exposure to RF-EMF. However, ELISAs showed no changes in serum IL-4 protein concentrations. These data indicate no adverse effects of long-term RF-EMF exposure on immune-like T cell populations, T cell activation, or Th1/Th2 balance in developing rats, although significant transcriptional effects were observed.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSprague Dawley rats (developing; exposure spanning in utero development, lactation, juvenile period)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2140 MHz · 0.2 W/kg · 9 weeks (in utero through lactation and juvenile period); 20 h/day, 7 days/week

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Flow cytometry showed no changes in numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells, activated T cells, or regulatory T cells in peripheral blood cells, splenocytes, or thymocytes between exposed and control rats. Gene expression analysis found Il5 significantly regulated in spleen, and Il4, Il5, and Il23a significantly upregulated in thymus after RF-EMF exposure, while serum IL-4 protein concentrations were unchanged.

Outcomes measured

Numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells (peripheral blood cells, splenocytes, thymocytes)
Activated T cells
Regulatory T cells
Expression of 16 Th1/Th2-regulating genes in spleen and thymus (real-time PCR)
Serum IL-4 protein concentration (ELISA)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Only one RF signal/frequency and one whole-body SAR level tested (2.14 GHz; 0.2 W/kg)
Transcriptional changes observed without corresponding protein change reported for IL-4; functional immune outcomes beyond cell counts/selected markers not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2140,
    "sar_wkg": 0.2,
    "duration": "9 weeks (in utero through lactation and juvenile period); 20 h/day, 7 days/week"
  },
  "population": "Sprague Dawley rats (developing; exposure spanning in utero development, lactation, juvenile period)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells (peripheral blood cells, splenocytes, thymocytes)",
    "Activated T cells",
    "Regulatory T cells",
    "Expression of 16 Th1/Th2-regulating genes in spleen and thymus (real-time PCR)",
    "Serum IL-4 protein concentration (ELISA)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Flow cytometry showed no changes in numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells, activated T cells, or regulatory T cells in peripheral blood cells, splenocytes, or thymocytes between exposed and control rats. Gene expression analysis found Il5 significantly regulated in spleen, and Il4, Il5, and Il23a significantly upregulated in thymus after RF-EMF exposure, while serum IL-4 protein concentrations were unchanged.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Only one RF signal/frequency and one whole-body SAR level tested (2.14 GHz; 0.2 W/kg)",
    "Transcriptional changes observed without corresponding protein change reported for IL-4; functional immune outcomes beyond cell counts/selected markers not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "W-CDMA",
    "2.14 GHz",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "developmental exposure",
    "in utero",
    "lactation",
    "juvenile",
    "T cells",
    "CD4",
    "CD8",
    "regulatory T cells",
    "Th1/Th2",
    "gene expression",
    "Il4",
    "Il5",
    "Il23a",
    "flow cytometry",
    "real-time PCR",
    "ELISA"
  ],
  "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: 10.1093/jrr/rru126
PubMed: 25835473

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