Transcriptional response of primary hippocampal neurons following exposure to 3.0 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5819

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2024

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been associated with the modulation of neuronal electrophysiology and synaptic plasticity. Given the potential of these changes to coincide with alterations in gene expression, this study investigated whether a transcriptional response would occur in neurons following exposure to RF-EMF, under both thermal and nonthermal conditions. Rat primary hippocampal neurons (PHNs) underwent either a single (one-time) or a multiple (3-times, once a day) exposures to RF-EMF (3.0 GHz, CW) at two different mean specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 0.57 W/kg or 5.91 W/kg, which induced a temperature change (ΔT °C) of approximately 0.3°C or 3.6°C, respectively. Alteration in transcription in the RF-EMF-exposed PHNs versus the sham counterparts was assessed at 0, 4, and 24 h postexposure via high-throughput RNA sequencing using Illumina HiSeq. 2000. A total of 20 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) exhibited significant upregulation due to RF-EMF exposure, observed only with the high SAR dose that induced a thermal rise. However, the expression of these DEGs was not significant at 24 h postexposure. Our findings confirmed a lack of nonthermal effects on gene expression under low RF-EMF exposure conditions as evaluated. Additionally, the results indicated a slight thermal effect of exposures at the dose nearing the standards threshold of 4 W/kg; however, the effect appeared to be transient. The study suggests that RF-EMF exposures at a level close to the standards threshold, despite inducing mild temperature elevations (i.e., 3-5°C above normal), would not trigger biologically critical cellular changes.

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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

PopulationRat primary hippocampal neurons (primary cell culture)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 3000 MHz · Single (one-time) or multiple (3 times, once a day) exposures; outcomes assessed 0, 4, and 24 h postexposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rat primary hippocampal neurons exposed to 3.0 GHz continuous-wave RF-EMF showed 20 significantly upregulated differentially expressed genes only at the higher mean SAR (5.91 W/kg) that produced an approximate 3.6°C temperature rise; these changes were not significant at 24 h postexposure. No nonthermal gene expression effects were observed at the lower mean SAR (0.57 W/kg; ~0.3°C temperature rise).

Outcomes measured

Gene expression / transcriptional response (RNA-seq)
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) post-exposure
Thermal vs nonthermal effects (temperature rise)

Limitations

In vitro model (primary hippocampal neuron culture) may not generalize to in vivo outcomes
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Only one frequency (3.0 GHz) and continuous-wave exposure described
Gene expression assessed only at 0, 4, and 24 h postexposure (limited follow-up)
Observed transcriptional changes occurred only under thermal conditions and were transient

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 3000,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Single (one-time) or multiple (3 times, once a day) exposures; outcomes assessed 0, 4, and 24 h postexposure"
  },
  "population": "Rat primary hippocampal neurons (primary cell culture)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gene expression / transcriptional response (RNA-seq)",
    "Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) post-exposure",
    "Thermal vs nonthermal effects (temperature rise)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rat primary hippocampal neurons exposed to 3.0 GHz continuous-wave RF-EMF showed 20 significantly upregulated differentially expressed genes only at the higher mean SAR (5.91 W/kg) that produced an approximate 3.6°C temperature rise; these changes were not significant at 24 h postexposure. No nonthermal gene expression effects were observed at the lower mean SAR (0.57 W/kg; ~0.3°C temperature rise).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro model (primary hippocampal neuron culture) may not generalize to in vivo outcomes",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Only one frequency (3.0 GHz) and continuous-wave exposure described",
    "Gene expression assessed only at 0, 4, and 24 h postexposure (limited follow-up)",
    "Observed transcriptional changes occurred only under thermal conditions and were transient"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "3.0 GHz",
    "continuous wave",
    "SAR",
    "thermal effects",
    "nonthermal effects",
    "RNA sequencing",
    "transcription",
    "differentially expressed genes",
    "primary hippocampal neurons",
    "rat"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.22517
PubMed: 39540619

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