Alterations of Immune Parameters on Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.

Environmental entomology · 2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4928

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental entomology · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Worldwide mobile telephone and microwave use have resulted in an increasing presence of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field radiations (ELF-EMFs) in ecosystems. ELF-EMFs have been associated with altered physiological processes that can adversely affect exposed organisms. In this study, Trichoplusia ni Hübner larvae were exposed for 24, 48, or 72 h to ELF-EMFs (60 Hz and 2.0 mT) to assess effects on immune response parameters and fertility. Trichoplusia ni life cycle and fertility were not affected by 24-h exposure. However, the number of apoptotic-like cells and cellular immune response significantly increased (P < 0.01) after 72-h exposure (2- and 1.1-fold, respectively), whereas hemolymph total protein and hemocyte cells were reduced (P < 0.01; 16 and 50%, respectively) after 48-h exposure. Hemocyte cell type analysis resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) higher granulocytes number in the unexposed (2-fold increase) and oenocytoids in the 72-h-exposed larvae (28.6-fold increase). Quantitative retrotranscription (RT-qPCR) showed that after 72-h ELF-EMF exposure, the antimicrobial peptides cecropin, lysozyme, gallerimycin, and pgrp were downregulated by 24,866.0, 2.69-, 119.1-, and 1.45-fold, respectively, whereas attacin and defensin were upregulated by 1.59- and 1.85-fold, respectively. The effect of ELF-EMFs on the T. ni larvae immune response and their potential impact on its physiology and susceptibility to pathogens are discussed. This information may provide new insight of ELF-EMFs on other pest species, as well as for the preservation of ecologically important species.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationTrichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 6e-05 MHz · 24, 48, or 72 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Larval life cycle and fertility were not affected by 24-h exposure to 60 Hz, 2.0 mT ELF-EMFs. After 72 h exposure, apoptotic-like cells and cellular immune response increased, while after 48 h exposure hemolymph total protein and hemocyte cells were reduced; gene expression changes after 72 h included strong downregulation of several antimicrobial peptides and modest upregulation of attacin and defensin.

Outcomes measured

Immune response parameters (apoptotic-like cells, cellular immune response, hemolymph total protein, hemocyte cells, hemocyte cell types)
Antimicrobial peptide gene expression (RT-qPCR: cecropin, lysozyme, gallerimycin, pgrp, attacin, defensin)
Life cycle and fertility

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Only one ELF-EMF condition reported (60 Hz, 2.0 mT) with short exposure durations (up to 72 h)
Outcomes limited to measured immune parameters and fertility/life cycle as described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 6e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24, 48, or 72 h"
  },
  "population": "Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Immune response parameters (apoptotic-like cells, cellular immune response, hemolymph total protein, hemocyte cells, hemocyte cell types)",
    "Antimicrobial peptide gene expression (RT-qPCR: cecropin, lysozyme, gallerimycin, pgrp, attacin, defensin)",
    "Life cycle and fertility"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Larval life cycle and fertility were not affected by 24-h exposure to 60 Hz, 2.0 mT ELF-EMFs. After 72 h exposure, apoptotic-like cells and cellular immune response increased, while after 48 h exposure hemolymph total protein and hemocyte cells were reduced; gene expression changes after 72 h included strong downregulation of several antimicrobial peptides and modest upregulation of attacin and defensin.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Only one ELF-EMF condition reported (60 Hz, 2.0 mT) with short exposure durations (up to 72 h)",
    "Outcomes limited to measured immune parameters and fertility/life cycle as described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "2.0 mT",
    "Trichoplusia ni",
    "larvae",
    "immune response",
    "hemocytes",
    "apoptosis",
    "RT-qPCR",
    "antimicrobial peptides",
    "fertility"
  ],
  "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: 10.1093/ee/nvx037
PubMed: 28334331

Read the original paper →

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