Tumor suppressor Nf2/merlin drives Schwann cell changes following electromagnetic field exposure through Hippo-dependent mechanisms.

Cell death discovery · 2015 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4802

Schwann cells exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields showed changes in morphology, proliferation, migration, and myelinating capability. Merlin was downregulated with activation of ERK/AKT and Hippo signaling pathways, alongside a shift toward a proliferativ…

Study snapshot

PublicationCell death discovery · 2015

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Previous evidence showed mutations of the neurofibromin type 2 gene (Nf2), encoding the tumor suppressor protein merlin, in sporadic and vestibular schwannomas affecting Schwann cells (SCs). Accordingly, efforts have been addressed to identify possible factors, even environmental, that may regulate neurofibromas growth. In this context, we investigated the exposure of SC to an electromagnetic field (EMF), which is an environmental issue modulating biological processes. Here, we show that SC exposed to 50 Hz EMFs changes their morphology, proliferation, migration and myelinating capability. In these cells, merlin is downregulated, leading to activation of two intracellular signaling pathways, ERK/AKT and Hippo. Interestingly, SC changes their phenotype toward a proliferative/migrating state, which in principle may be pathologically relevant for schwannoma 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 directionharm

PopulationSchwann cells (SCs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cell morphology changes
Cell proliferation
Cell migration
Myelinating capability
Merlin (Nf2) expression/downregulation
ERK/AKT pathway activation
Hippo pathway activation
Phenotypic shift toward proliferative/migrating state (potential relevance to schwannoma development)

Limitations

In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes
Exposure duration and intensity metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) not provided in abstract
No direct assessment of tumor formation; relevance to schwannoma development described as potential/in principle

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Schwann cells (SCs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell morphology changes",
    "Cell proliferation",
    "Cell migration",
    "Myelinating capability",
    "Merlin (Nf2) expression/downregulation",
    "ERK/AKT pathway activation",
    "Hippo pathway activation",
    "Phenotypic shift toward proliferative/migrating state (potential relevance to schwannoma development)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Schwann cells exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields showed changes in morphology, proliferation, migration, and myelinating capability. Merlin was downregulated with activation of ERK/AKT and Hippo signaling pathways, alongside a shift toward a proliferative/migrating phenotype.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes",
    "Exposure duration and intensity metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) not provided in abstract",
    "No direct assessment of tumor formation; relevance to schwannoma development described as potential/in principle"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "Schwann cells",
    "Nf2",
    "merlin",
    "Hippo pathway",
    "ERK",
    "AKT",
    "proliferation",
    "migration",
    "myelination",
    "schwannoma"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines biological effects of 50 Hz (ELF) electromagnetic field exposure."
    },
    {
      "slug": "mechanisms",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "Reports pathway changes (merlin downregulation; ERK/AKT and Hippo activation) following EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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/cddiscovery.2015.21
PubMed: 27551454

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