A Novel and Versatile Microfluidic Device for Cell Assays under Radio Frequency Exposure.

Biosensors · 2023 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 5779

Study snapshot

PublicationBiosensors · 2023

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process composed of different stages, which involves extensive communication between the different cellular factors of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) has been used to accelerate the wound-healing process and it has been found to enhance cell alignment and mobility. The conventional methods for cell mobility analysis in an electromagnetic field generated by a radiation source are not advisable due to the low-precision, nonuniform distribution of the field, low efficiency of the analysis in batch and the lack of system integration for autonomous on-body operation. Here, a novel and versatile electromagnetic exposure system integrated with a microfluidic chip was fabricated to explore the EMF-induced response. A gradient electromagnetic field in a two-dimensional plane has been successfully established in the microchambers placed along the field line. In this work, by deploying our radiation experiments in vitro, we validated the on-chip monitoring of cell response to exposure. This electromagnetic field was simulated and human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) were cultured in different microchambers for continuous exposure to the electromagnetic field excited by a monopole RF antenna (1.8 GHz). New protrusions were generated and an obvious increase in filopodia with the increased field intensity was investigated. Meanwhile, the variation in intracellular Ca concentration under the electromagnetic field was examined. The inhibitory effect of the Ca circulation was further inspected to reveal the potential downstream signaling pathway in the RF-EMF-related bioassay, suggesting that cytoskeletal dynamics of cells under exposure are highly associated with the EGF receptor (EGFR)-cytoskeleton downstream signaling pathway. Finally, the field-induced cell elongation and alignment parallel to the field direction were observed. Additionally, the subsequent recovery (field withdrawal) and re-establishment (field re-exposure) were explored. These results indicated that this reliable and versatile exposure system for bioassay could achieve precise and high-throughput detection of the RF-EMF-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in vitro and evaluate the possible health risk from RF-EMF exposure.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationHuman amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) cultured on-chip in microchambers

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · continuous exposure (duration not specified)

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

An integrated microfluidic exposure system established a 2D gradient RF-EMF field (1.8 GHz) and enabled on-chip monitoring of HAEC responses. With increased field intensity, new protrusions and an increase in filopodia were observed, along with changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration; cell elongation and alignment parallel to the field direction were also reported, including observations during withdrawal and re-exposure.

Outcomes measured

Cell protrusion formation
Filopodia abundance
Intracellular Ca2+ concentration variation
Cell elongation
Cell alignment relative to field direction
Cytoskeletal reorganization
Recovery after field withdrawal and re-exposure effects
EGFR-cytoskeleton downstream signaling pathway involvement (suggested)

Limitations

In vitro study (cell culture on-chip), not directly generalizable to human health outcomes
Exposure metrics such as SAR and exact exposure duration were not reported in the abstract
Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
Mechanistic pathway involvement (EGFR-cytoskeleton) is described as suggested rather than definitively established

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "monopole RF antenna",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure (duration not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) cultured on-chip in microchambers",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell protrusion formation",
    "Filopodia abundance",
    "Intracellular Ca2+ concentration variation",
    "Cell elongation",
    "Cell alignment relative to field direction",
    "Cytoskeletal reorganization",
    "Recovery after field withdrawal and re-exposure effects",
    "EGFR-cytoskeleton downstream signaling pathway involvement (suggested)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "An integrated microfluidic exposure system established a 2D gradient RF-EMF field (1.8 GHz) and enabled on-chip monitoring of HAEC responses. With increased field intensity, new protrusions and an increase in filopodia were observed, along with changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration; cell elongation and alignment parallel to the field direction were also reported, including observations during withdrawal and re-exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (cell culture on-chip), not directly generalizable to human health outcomes",
    "Exposure metrics such as SAR and exact exposure duration were not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Mechanistic pathway involvement (EGFR-cytoskeleton) is described as suggested rather than definitively established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microfluidic chip",
    "exposure system",
    "RF-EMF",
    "1.8 GHz",
    "monopole antenna",
    "gradient electromagnetic field",
    "human amniotic epithelial cells",
    "wound healing",
    "cell migration",
    "filopodia",
    "intracellular calcium",
    "cytoskeleton",
    "EGFR signaling"
  ],
  "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: 10.3390/bios13080763
PubMed: 37622849

Read the original paper →

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