RF Safe

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells.

Scientific reports · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4686

Exposure of embryonic neural stem cells to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at SAR 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1–3 days did not affect apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, related mRNA expression, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Neurite outgrowth of different…

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2014
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

A radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) of 1800 MHz is widely used in mobile communications. However, the effects of RF-EMFs on cell biology are unclear. Embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) play a critical role in brain development. Thus, detecting the effects of RF-EMF on eNSCs is important for exploring the effects of RF-EMF on brain development. Here, we exposed eNSCs to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1, 2, and 3 days. We found that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle or the mRNA expressions of related genes. RF-EMF exposure also did not alter the ratio of eNSC differentiated neurons and astrocytes. However, neurite outgrowth of eNSC differentiated neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg RF-EMF exposure for 3 days. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression of the proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD, which are crucial for neurite outgrowth, were decreased after RF-EMF exposure. The expression of their inhibitor Hes1 was upregulated by RF-EMF exposure. These results together suggested that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure impairs neurite outgrowth of eNSCs. More attention should be given to the potential adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure on brain development.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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
PopulationEmbryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 1, 2, and 3 days
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure of embryonic neural stem cells to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at SAR 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1–3 days did not affect apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, related mRNA expression, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg exposure for 3 days, accompanied by decreased Ngn1 and NeuroD (mRNA and protein) and increased Hes1 expression.

Outcomes measured

  • Apoptosis
  • Proliferation
  • Cell cycle
  • mRNA expression of related genes (apoptosis/proliferation/cell cycle related)
  • Differentiation ratio into neurons and astrocytes
  • Neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons
  • mRNA and protein expression of proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD
  • mRNA expression of Hes1
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile communications",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1, 2, and 3 days"
  },
  "population": "Embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Apoptosis",
    "Proliferation",
    "Cell cycle",
    "mRNA expression of related genes (apoptosis/proliferation/cell cycle related)",
    "Differentiation ratio into neurons and astrocytes",
    "Neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons",
    "mRNA and protein expression of proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD",
    "mRNA expression of Hes1"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure of embryonic neural stem cells to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at SAR 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1–3 days did not affect apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, related mRNA expression, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg exposure for 3 days, accompanied by decreased Ngn1 and NeuroD (mRNA and protein) and increased Hes1 expression.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1800 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "embryonic neural stem cells",
    "neurite outgrowth",
    "neuronal differentiation",
    "Ngn1",
    "NeuroD",
    "Hes1"
  ],
  "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: 10.1038/srep05103
PubMed: 24869783

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