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Distinct epidermal keratinocytes respond to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields differently.

PloS one · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4650

Using the same 1.5 mT, 60 Hz ELF-EMF exposure system and experimental design, ELF-EMFs showed no effects on cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle distribution, or ATM signaling activation in NHEK cells. The authors report that HaCaT and NHEK keratinocytes ex…

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2014
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Following an increase in the use of electric appliances that can generate 50 or 60 Hz electromagnetic fields, concerns have intensified regarding the biological effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on human health. Previous epidemiological studies have suggested the carcinogenic potential of environmental exposure to ELF-EMFs, specifically at 50 or 60 Hz. However, the biological mechanism facilitating the effects of ELF-EMFs remains unclear. Cellular studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the biological effects of ELF-EMFs. The inconsistent results might have been due to diverse cell types. In our previous study, we indicated that 1.5 mT, 60 Hz ELF-EMFs will cause G1 arrest through the activation of the ATM-Chk2-p21 pathway in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether ELF-EMFs cause similar effects in a distinct epidermal keratinocyte, primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), by using the same ELF-EMF exposure system and experimental design. We observed that ELF-EMFs exerted no effects on cell growth, cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and the activation of ATM signaling pathway in NHEK cells. We demonstrated that the 2 epidermal keratinocytes responded to ELF-EMFs differently. To further validate this finding, we simultaneously exposed the NHEK and HaCaT cells to ELF-EMFs in the same incubator for 168 h and observed the cell growths. The simultaneous exposure of the two cell types results showed that the NHEK and HaCaT cells exhibited distinct responses to ELF-EMFs. Thus, we confirmed that the biological effects of ELF-EMFs in epidermal keratinocytes are cell type specific. Our findings may partially explain the inconsistent results of previous studies when comparing results across various experimental models.

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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 epidermal keratinocyte cell lines/cultures (HaCaT and primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes, NHEK)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 6e-05 MHz · 168 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using the same 1.5 mT, 60 Hz ELF-EMF exposure system and experimental design, ELF-EMFs showed no effects on cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle distribution, or ATM signaling activation in NHEK cells. The authors report that HaCaT and NHEK keratinocytes exhibited distinct responses to ELF-EMFs, including during simultaneous exposure for 168 h.

Outcomes measured

  • Cell growth
  • Cell proliferation
  • Cell cycle distribution (G1 arrest)
  • ATM signaling pathway activation (ATM-Chk2-p21)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Only two keratinocyte models assessed (HaCaT vs primary NHEK)
  • Exposure intensity reported (1.5 mT) but other dosimetry details not provided in abstract
  • Findings limited to in vitro endpoints; no direct health outcomes
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "electric appliances (environmental)",
    "frequency_mhz": 6e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "168 h"
  },
  "population": "Human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines/cultures (HaCaT and primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes, NHEK)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell growth",
    "Cell proliferation",
    "Cell cycle distribution (G1 arrest)",
    "ATM signaling pathway activation (ATM-Chk2-p21)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using the same 1.5 mT, 60 Hz ELF-EMF exposure system and experimental design, ELF-EMFs showed no effects on cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle distribution, or ATM signaling activation in NHEK cells. The authors report that HaCaT and NHEK keratinocytes exhibited distinct responses to ELF-EMFs, including during simultaneous exposure for 168 h.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only two keratinocyte models assessed (HaCaT vs primary NHEK)",
    "Exposure intensity reported (1.5 mT) but other dosimetry details not provided in abstract",
    "Findings limited to in vitro endpoints; no direct health outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "1.5 mT",
    "keratinocytes",
    "HaCaT",
    "NHEK",
    "cell cycle",
    "G1 arrest",
    "ATM-Chk2-p21"
  ],
  "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.0113424
PubMed: 25409520

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