Exposure to cell phone radiation up-regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes

Neurosci Lett · 2007 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6838

Study snapshot

PublicationNeurosci Lett · 2007

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The health effects of cell phone radiation exposure are a growing public concern. This study investigated whether expression of genes related to cell death pathways are dysregulated in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes by exposure to a working Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) cell phone rated at a frequency of 1900MHz. Primary cultures were exposed to cell phone emissions for 2h. We used array analysis and real-time RT-PCR to show up-regulation of caspase-2, caspase-6 and Asc (apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a card) gene expression in neurons and astrocytes. Up-regulation occurred in both "on" and "stand-by" modes in neurons, but only in "on" mode in astrocytes. Additionally, astrocytes showed up-regulation of the Bax gene. The effects are specific since up-regulation was not seen for other genes associated with apoptosis, such as caspase-9 in either neurons or astrocytes, or Bax in neurons. The results show that even relatively short-term exposure to cell phone radiofrequency emissions can up-regulate elements of apoptotic pathways in cells derived from the brain, and that neurons appear to be more sensitive to this effect than astrocytes.

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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

PopulationPrimary cultured neurons and astrocytes

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1900 MHz · 2 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 95% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Primary cultured neurons and astrocytes exposed for 2 hours to emissions from a working GSM cell phone at 1900 MHz showed increased expression of several apoptosis-related genes. Caspase-2, caspase-6, and Asc were up-regulated in neurons and astrocytes, with effects in both on and stand-by modes in neurons but only on mode in astrocytes; Bax was additionally up-regulated in astrocytes.

Outcomes measured

Gene expression related to apoptosis pathways
Up-regulation of caspase-2
Up-regulation of caspase-6
Up-regulation of Asc
Up-regulation of Bax in astrocytes

Limitations

In vitro study
Sample size not stated in the abstract
Short-term exposure only
Outcome limited to gene expression rather than clinical or organism-level effects

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": "Primary cultured neurons and astrocytes",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gene expression related to apoptosis pathways",
    "Up-regulation of caspase-2",
    "Up-regulation of caspase-6",
    "Up-regulation of Asc",
    "Up-regulation of Bax in astrocytes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Primary cultured neurons and astrocytes exposed for 2 hours to emissions from a working GSM cell phone at 1900 MHz showed increased expression of several apoptosis-related genes. Caspase-2, caspase-6, and Asc were up-regulated in neurons and astrocytes, with effects in both on and stand-by modes in neurons but only on mode in astrocytes; Bax was additionally up-regulated in astrocytes.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study",
    "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
    "Short-term exposure only",
    "Outcome limited to gene expression rather than clinical or organism-level effects"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cell phone radiation",
    "GSM",
    "1900 MHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "neurons",
    "astrocytes",
    "apoptosis",
    "gene expression",
    "caspase-2",
    "caspase-6",
    "Asc",
    "Bax",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.09.092
PubMed: 17187929

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