Effects of single and combined low frequency electromagnetic fields and simulated microgravity on gene expression of human mesenchymal stem cells during chondrogenesis.

Archives of medical science : AMS · 2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2841

Simulated microgravity (SMG) significantly altered gene expression and reduced COLXA1 and COL2A1 (p<0.05). LF-EMF alone (5 mT, 15 Hz) showed no gene expression changes on a microarray basis. Combined LF-EMF/SMG differed from SMG alone and was associated with …

Study snapshot

PublicationArchives of medical science : AMS · 2018

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Low frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMF) and simulated microgravity (SMG) have been observed to affect chondrogenesis. A controlled bioreactor system was developed to apply LF-EMF and SMG singly or combined during chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in 3D culture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An external motor gear SMG bioreactor was combined with magnetic Helmholtz coils for EMF (5 mT; 15 Hz). Pellets of hMSCs (±TGF-β3) were cultured (P5) under SMG, LF-EMF, LF-EMF/SMG and control (1 g) conditions for 3 weeks. Sections were stained with safranin-O and collagen type II. Gene expression was evaluated by microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Simulated microgravity application significantly changed gene expression; specifically, COLXA1 but also COL2A1, which represents the chondrogenic potential, were reduced ( < 0.05). Low frequency electromagnetic fields application showed no gene expression changes on a microarray basis. LF-EMF/SMG application obtained significant different expression values from cultures obtained under SMG conditions with a re-increase of COL2A1, therefore rescuing the chondrogenic potential, which had been lowered by SMG. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated microgravity lowered hypertrophy but also the chondrogenic potential of hMSCs. Combined LF-EMF/SMG provided a rescue effect of the chondrogenic potential of hMSCs although no LF-EMF effect was observed under optimal conditions. The study provides new insights into how LF-EMF and SMG affect chondrogenesis of hMSCs and how they generate interdependent effects.

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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 mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in 3D pellet culture during chondrogenic differentiation (± TGF-β3)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 1.5e-05 MHz · 3 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Gene expression changes (microarray, RT-PCR)
COLXA1 expression
COL2A1 expression (chondrogenic potential)
Histology staining (safranin-O, collagen type II)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
In vitro model (3D hMSC pellets) may not generalize to in vivo outcomes
Exposure parameters limited to 5 mT at 15 Hz; other LF-EMF conditions not assessed
Gene expression effects reported primarily at microarray level; details of specific genes beyond COLXA1/COL2A1 not provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "Helmholtz coils (laboratory exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": 1.5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in 3D pellet culture during chondrogenic differentiation (± TGF-β3)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gene expression changes (microarray, RT-PCR)",
    "COLXA1 expression",
    "COL2A1 expression (chondrogenic potential)",
    "Histology staining (safranin-O, collagen type II)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Simulated microgravity (SMG) significantly altered gene expression and reduced COLXA1 and COL2A1 (p<0.05). LF-EMF alone (5 mT, 15 Hz) showed no gene expression changes on a microarray basis. Combined LF-EMF/SMG differed from SMG alone and was associated with a re-increase of COL2A1, described as rescuing chondrogenic potential lowered by SMG.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro model (3D hMSC pellets) may not generalize to in vivo outcomes",
    "Exposure parameters limited to 5 mT at 15 Hz; other LF-EMF conditions not assessed",
    "Gene expression effects reported primarily at microarray level; details of specific genes beyond COLXA1/COL2A1 not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "low frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "LF-EMF",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "15 Hz",
    "5 mT",
    "simulated microgravity",
    "human mesenchymal stem cells",
    "hMSCs",
    "chondrogenesis",
    "COL2A1",
    "gene expression",
    "microarray",
    "RT-PCR",
    "Helmholtz coils"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elF-emf",
      "weight": 0.72,
      "reason": "In vitro exposure to low-frequency (15 Hz) magnetic field at 5 mT with gene expression outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.5114/aoms.2016.59894
PubMed: 29765449

Read the original paper →

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