Activation of matrix metalloproteinases and FoxO3a in HaCaT keratinocytes by radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure.

Scientific reports · 2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5697

Exposure to 1760 MHz RF-EMF (SAR 4.0 W/kg; 2 h/day for 4 days) increased intracellular ROS in HaCaT keratinocytes. MMP1/3/7 levels and gelatinolytic activities of secreted MMP2/9 were increased, and FoxO3a and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels were increased, whi…

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2021

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

As the skin is the largest body organ and critically serves as a barrier, it is frequently exposed and could be physiologically affected by radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. In this study, we found that 1760 MHz RF-EMF (4.0 W/kg specific absorption rate for 2 h/day during 4 days) exposure could induce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HaCaT human keratinocytes using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate fluorescent probe analysis. However, cell growth and viability were unaffected by RF-EMF exposure. Since oxidative stress in the skin greatly influences the skin-aging process, we analyzed the skin senescence-related factors activated by ROS generation. Matrix metalloproteinases 1, 3, and 7 (MMP1, MMP3, and MMP7), the main skin wrinkle-related proteins, were significantly increased in HaCaT cells after RF-EMF exposure. Additionally, the gelatinolytic activities of secreted MMP2 and MMP9 were also increased by RF-EMF exposure. FoxO3a (Ser318/321) and ERK1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204) phosphorylation levels were significantly increased by RF-EMF exposure. However, Bcl2 and Bax expression levels were not significantly changed, indicating that the apoptotic pathway was not activated in keratinocytes following RF-EMF exposure. In summary, our findings show that exposure to 1760 MHz RF-EMF induces ROS generation, leading to MMP activation and FoxO3a and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These data suggest that RF-EMF exposure induces cellular senescence of skin cells through ROS induction in HaCaT human keratinocytes.

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 directionmixed

PopulationHaCaT human keratinocytes (cell line)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1760 MHz · 4 W/kg · 2 h/day during 4 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
Cell growth
Cell viability
MMP1, MMP3, MMP7 levels
Gelatinolytic activity of secreted MMP2 and MMP9
FoxO3a (Ser318/321) phosphorylation
ERK1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204) phosphorylation
Bcl2 expression
Bax expression
Cellular senescence-related factors

Limitations

In vitro study in a single human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), limiting generalizability to in vivo human skin
Exposure conditions limited to one frequency (1760 MHz), SAR (4.0 W/kg), and schedule (2 h/day for 4 days)
No sample size information provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1760,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "2 h/day during 4 days"
  },
  "population": "HaCaT human keratinocytes (cell line)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production",
    "Cell growth",
    "Cell viability",
    "MMP1, MMP3, MMP7 levels",
    "Gelatinolytic activity of secreted MMP2 and MMP9",
    "FoxO3a (Ser318/321) phosphorylation",
    "ERK1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204) phosphorylation",
    "Bcl2 expression",
    "Bax expression",
    "Cellular senescence-related factors"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 1760 MHz RF-EMF (SAR 4.0 W/kg; 2 h/day for 4 days) increased intracellular ROS in HaCaT keratinocytes. MMP1/3/7 levels and gelatinolytic activities of secreted MMP2/9 were increased, and FoxO3a and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels were increased, while cell growth/viability and Bcl2/Bax expression were not significantly changed.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in a single human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), limiting generalizability to in vivo human skin",
    "Exposure conditions limited to one frequency (1760 MHz), SAR (4.0 W/kg), and schedule (2 h/day for 4 days)",
    "No sample size information provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "1760 MHz",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR 4.0 W/kg",
    "HaCaT",
    "keratinocytes",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "oxidative stress",
    "matrix metalloproteinases",
    "MMP1",
    "MMP3",
    "MMP7",
    "MMP2",
    "MMP9",
    "FoxO3a",
    "ERK1/2",
    "senescence",
    "skin aging"
  ],
  "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/s41598-021-87263-2
PubMed: 33828192

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