Radiofrequency EMF irradiation effects on pre-B lymphocytes undergoing somatic recombination.

Scientific reports · 2021 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5688

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2021

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Intense electromagnetic fields (EMFs) induce DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs) in exposed lymphocytes.We study developing pre-B lymphocytes following V(D)J recombination at their Immunoglobulin light chain loci (IgL). Recombination physiologically induces DNA DSBs, and we tested if low doses of EMF irradiation affect this developmental stage. Recombining pre-B cells, were exposed for 48 h to low intensity EMFs (maximal radiative power density flux S of 9.5 µW/cm and electric field intensity 3 V/m) from waves of frequencies ranging from 720 to 1224 MHz. Irradiated pre-B cells show decreased levels of recombination, reduction which is dependent upon the power dose and most remarkably upon the frequency of the applied EMF. Although 50% recombination reduction cannot be obtained even for an S of 9.5 µW/cm in cells irradiated at 720 MHz, such an effect is reached in cells exposed to only 0.45 µW/cm power with 950 and 1000 MHz waves. A maximal four-fold recombination reduction was measured in cells exposed to 1000 MHz waves with S from 0.2 to 4.5 µW/cm displaying normal levels of γH2AX phosphorylated histone. Our findings show that developing B cells exposure to low intensity EMFs can affect the levels of production and diversity of their antibodies repertoire.

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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 typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationRecombining pre-B lymphocytes (developing B cells) undergoing V(D)J recombination at immunoglobulin light chain loci (IgL)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 48 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Recombining pre-B cells exposed for 48 h to low-intensity RF EMFs (720–1224 MHz; maximal power density flux S 9.5 µW/cm; electric field 3 V/m) showed decreased recombination levels. The reduction depended on power dose and notably on frequency; ~50% reduction was reported at 950–1000 MHz with S as low as 0.45 µW/cm, and up to a four-fold reduction at 1000 MHz with S 0.2–4.5 µW/cm, while γH2AX levels were described as normal.

Outcomes measured

Levels of V(D)J recombination at IgL
γH2AX (phosphorylated histone) levels (DNA damage marker)
Antibody repertoire production/diversity (inferred from recombination levels)

Limitations

In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes
Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
Exposure source/modulation characteristics not described in the abstract
Outcomes focus on recombination/biomarkers rather than clinical endpoints

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "48 h"
  },
  "population": "Recombining pre-B lymphocytes (developing B cells) undergoing V(D)J recombination at immunoglobulin light chain loci (IgL)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Levels of V(D)J recombination at IgL",
    "γH2AX (phosphorylated histone) levels (DNA damage marker)",
    "Antibody repertoire production/diversity (inferred from recombination levels)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Recombining pre-B cells exposed for 48 h to low-intensity RF EMFs (720–1224 MHz; maximal power density flux S 9.5 µW/cm; electric field 3 V/m) showed decreased recombination levels. The reduction depended on power dose and notably on frequency; ~50% reduction was reported at 950–1000 MHz with S as low as 0.45 µW/cm, and up to a four-fold reduction at 1000 MHz with S 0.2–4.5 µW/cm, while γH2AX levels were described as normal.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Exposure source/modulation characteristics not described in the abstract",
    "Outcomes focus on recombination/biomarkers rather than clinical endpoints"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "EMF",
    "pre-B lymphocytes",
    "V(D)J recombination",
    "immunoglobulin light chain",
    "power density",
    "frequency dependence",
    "γH2AX",
    "DNA double-strand breaks"
  ],
  "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/s41598-021-91790-3
PubMed: 34135382

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