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The expression of PHOX2A, PHOX2B and of their target gene dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) is not modified by exposure to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) in a human neuronal model.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA · 2008 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5007

Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field at various flux densities and exposure times showed no changes in PHOX2A, PHOX2B, or DbetaH at transcript or protein level compared with controls, including during retinoic-acid-tr…

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA · 2008
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The homeodomain transcription factors PHOX2A and PHOX2B are vital for development of the autonomic nervous system. Their spatial and temporal expression at the neural crest is instrumental in determining neuronal precursor fate, and by regulating DbetaH expression, the enzyme catalysing noradrenaline synthesis from dopamine, they also play a role in determination of noradrenergic phenotype. Disturbing this finely regulated process leads to disruption of autonomic development and autonomic dysfunction syndromes such as DbetaH deficiency. As it had previously been shown that the catecholamine system is responsive to ELF-EMF, and as this has also been linked to various pathologies and to certain types of cancer, we wondered whether exposure to this type of radiation could affect the expression of PHOX2A, PHOX2B and DbetaH, also during differentiation triggered by retinoic acid. To investigate this possibility we exposed the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line to 50 Hz power-line magnetic field at various flux densities and for various exposure times. We measured gene expression in exposed cells compared to control cells and also investigated any changes at protein level. Using our exposure protocol, we found no changes at either transcript or protein level of these important components of the autonomic nervous system and catecholaminergic system.

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 directionno_effect
PopulationHuman SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line (human neuronal model)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · various exposure times
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field at various flux densities and exposure times showed no changes in PHOX2A, PHOX2B, or DbetaH at transcript or protein level compared with controls, including during retinoic-acid-triggered differentiation.

Outcomes measured

  • PHOX2A gene expression (transcript level)
  • PHOX2B gene expression (transcript level)
  • DbetaH (dopamine-beta-hydroxylase) gene expression (transcript level)
  • PHOX2A protein level
  • PHOX2B protein level
  • DbetaH protein level
  • Expression during retinoic-acid-triggered differentiation

Limitations

  • Flux densities not specified in the abstract
  • Exposure durations not specified in the abstract
  • Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
  • Findings are from an in vitro neuroblastoma cell model; generalizability to in vivo human health outcomes is not addressed in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "power-line magnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "various exposure times"
  },
  "population": "Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line (human neuronal model)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "PHOX2A gene expression (transcript level)",
    "PHOX2B gene expression (transcript level)",
    "DbetaH (dopamine-beta-hydroxylase) gene expression (transcript level)",
    "PHOX2A protein level",
    "PHOX2B protein level",
    "DbetaH protein level",
    "Expression during retinoic-acid-triggered differentiation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to a 50 Hz power-line magnetic field at various flux densities and exposure times showed no changes in PHOX2A, PHOX2B, or DbetaH at transcript or protein level compared with controls, including during retinoic-acid-triggered differentiation.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Flux densities not specified in the abstract",
    "Exposure durations not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Findings are from an in vitro neuroblastoma cell model; generalizability to in vivo human health outcomes is not addressed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "power-line magnetic field",
    "SH-SY5Y",
    "neuroblastoma",
    "PHOX2A",
    "PHOX2B",
    "dopamine-beta-hydroxylase",
    "DbetaH",
    "gene expression",
    "protein expression",
    "retinoic acid differentiation",
    "catecholaminergic system",
    "autonomic nervous system"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study examines 50 Hz power-line magnetic field exposure (ELF), relevant to power-frequency exposure contexts."
    }
  ]
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1016/j.tiv.2008.05.003
PubMed: 18572378

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