Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields accelerates wound healing modulating MMP-9 and inflammatory cytokines.

Cell proliferation · 2018 · Benefit · Low evidence

← Research stream

BenefitLow evidencePaper 5558

Study snapshot

PublicationCell proliferation · 2018

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In our previous reports, we have demonstrated that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure enhances the proliferation of keratinocyte. The present study aimed to clarify effects of ELF-EMF on wound healing and molecular mechanisms involved, using a scratch in vitro model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The wounded monolayer cultures of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT), at different ELF-EMF and Sham exposure times were monitored under an inverted microscope. The production and expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR. The activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2/9 was evaluated by zymography and Western blot analysis, respectively. Signal transduction proteins expression (Akt and ERK) was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: The results of wound healing in vitro assay revealed a significant reduction of cell-free area time-dependent in ELF-EMF-exposed cells compared to Sham condition. Gene expression and release of cytokines analysed were significantly increased in ELF-EMF-exposed cells. Our results further showed that ELF-EMF exposure induced the activity and expressions of MMP-9. Molecular data showed that effects of ELF-EMF might be mediated via Akt and ERK signal pathway, as demonstrated using their specific inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight ability of ELF-EMF to modulate inflammation mediators and keratinocyte proliferation/migration, playing an important role in wound repair. The ELF-EMF accelerates wound healing modulating expression of the MMP-9 via Akt/ERK pathway.

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 directionbenefit

PopulationHuman immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) in scratch wound model

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · different exposure times (not specified)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a scratch in vitro model using HaCaT keratinocytes, ELF-EMF exposure produced a significant time-dependent reduction in cell-free area compared with sham. ELF-EMF exposure was associated with increased expression/release of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-18BP and increased MMP-9 activity/expression; effects were reported as mediated via Akt/ERK pathways based on use of specific inhibitors.

Outcomes measured

In vitro wound closure (reduction of cell-free area over time)
Cytokine gene expression and release (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18, IL-18BP)
MMP-2/9 activity (zymography)
MMP-9 expression (Western blot)
Akt and ERK pathway protein expression; inhibitor experiments

Limitations

In vitro scratch model only (cell culture); no in vivo/clinical outcomes reported
Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not provided in abstract
Sample size/replication details not provided in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "different exposure times (not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) in scratch wound model",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "In vitro wound closure (reduction of cell-free area over time)",
    "Cytokine gene expression and release (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18, IL-18BP)",
    "MMP-2/9 activity (zymography)",
    "MMP-9 expression (Western blot)",
    "Akt and ERK pathway protein expression; inhibitor experiments"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a scratch in vitro model using HaCaT keratinocytes, ELF-EMF exposure produced a significant time-dependent reduction in cell-free area compared with sham. ELF-EMF exposure was associated with increased expression/release of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-18BP and increased MMP-9 activity/expression; effects were reported as mediated via Akt/ERK pathways based on use of specific inhibitors.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro scratch model only (cell culture); no in vivo/clinical outcomes reported",
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength) not provided in abstract",
    "Sample size/replication details not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "wound healing",
    "scratch assay",
    "keratinocytes",
    "HaCaT",
    "IL-1β",
    "TNF-α",
    "IL-18",
    "IL-18BP",
    "MMP-9",
    "Akt",
    "ERK",
    "inflammation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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: 10.1111/cpr.12432
PubMed: 29357406

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library