Cell type-dependent induction of DNA damage by 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields does not result in significant cellular dysfunctions.

PloS one · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4625

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2013

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although IARC clarifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) as possible human carcinogen, the debate on its health impact continues due to the inconsistent results. Genotoxic effect has been considered as a golden standard to determine if an environmental factor is a carcinogen, but the currently available data for RF-EMF remain controversial. As an environmental stimulus, the effect of RF-EMF on cellular DNA may be subtle. Therefore, more sensitive method and systematic research strategy are warranted to evaluate its genotoxicity. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether RF-EMF does induce DNA damage and if the effect is cell-type dependent by adopting a more sensitive method γH2AX foci formation; and to investigate the biological consequences if RF-EMF does increase γH2AX foci formation. METHODS: Six different types of cells were intermittently exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF-EMF at a specific absorption rate of 3.0 W/kg for 1 h or 24 h, then subjected to immunostaining with anti-γH2AX antibody. The biological consequences in γH2AX-elevated cell type were further explored with comet and TUNEL assays, flow cytometry, and cell growth assay. RESULTS: Exposure to RF-EMF for 24 h significantly induced γH2AX foci formation in Chinese hamster lung cells and Human skin fibroblasts (HSFs), but not the other cells. However, RF-EMF-elevated γH2AX foci formation in HSF cells did not result in detectable DNA fragmentation, sustainable cell cycle arrest, cell proliferation or viability change. RF-EMF exposure slightly but not significantly increased the cellular ROS level. CONCLUSIONS: RF-EMF induces DNA damage in a cell type-dependent manner, but the elevated γH2AX foci formation in HSF cells does not result in significant cellular dysfunctions.

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 3 W/kg · Intermittent exposure for 1 h or 24 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 24 h exposure, γH2AX foci formation was significantly increased in Chinese hamster lung cells and human skin fibroblasts, but not in the other tested cell types. In human skin fibroblasts, the elevated γH2AX signal was not accompanied by detectable DNA fragmentation, sustained cell cycle arrest, or changes in proliferation/viability; ROS was slightly but not significantly increased.

Outcomes measured

γH2AX foci formation (DNA damage marker)
DNA fragmentation (comet assay, TUNEL)
Cell cycle arrest (flow cytometry)
Cell proliferation/growth
Cell viability
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Only six cell types tested; findings described as cell-type dependent
Intermittent exposure conditions and dosimetry details beyond frequency/SAR/duration not provided in abstract
Biological consequences assessed primarily in the γH2AX-elevated cell type (human skin fibroblasts)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "GSM mobile phone signal (simulated exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": 3,
    "duration": "Intermittent exposure for 1 h or 24 h"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "γH2AX foci formation (DNA damage marker)",
    "DNA fragmentation (comet assay, TUNEL)",
    "Cell cycle arrest (flow cytometry)",
    "Cell proliferation/growth",
    "Cell viability",
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 24 h exposure, γH2AX foci formation was significantly increased in Chinese hamster lung cells and human skin fibroblasts, but not in the other tested cell types. In human skin fibroblasts, the elevated γH2AX signal was not accompanied by detectable DNA fragmentation, sustained cell cycle arrest, or changes in proliferation/viability; ROS was slightly but not significantly increased.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only six cell types tested; findings described as cell-type dependent",
    "Intermittent exposure conditions and dosimetry details beyond frequency/SAR/duration not provided in abstract",
    "Biological consequences assessed primarily in the γH2AX-elevated cell type (human skin fibroblasts)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "GSM",
    "1800 MHz",
    "SAR 3.0 W/kg",
    "γH2AX",
    "DNA damage",
    "genotoxicity",
    "cell-type dependent",
    "comet assay",
    "TUNEL",
    "ROS"
  ],
  "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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054906
PubMed: 23355902

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