Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Millimeter-wave exposure promotes the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into cells with a neural phenotype med./bio.

By: Tong Y, Yang Z, Yang D, Chu H, Qu M, Liu G, Wu Y, Liu S

Published in: J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci 2009; 29 (4): 409-412

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The study investigated the ability of millimeter waves to promote the differentiation of rat primary bone marrow stromal cells into cells with a neural phenotype, in an attempt to provide experimental basis for the future clinical application.

Background/further details

At cell passage 3, the cells were treated by beta-mercaptoethanol (to induce cell differentiation) alone or in combination with millimeter waves.

Endpoint

morphol./histopathol. changes: cell differentiation

Exposure

- 36.11 GHz
- millimeter waves

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 36.11 GHz Exposure duration: 10 minutes, three times at an interval of 2 h	power density: 10 mW/cm²

General information

cells induced by i) beta-mercaptoethanol (BME) ii) BME + millimeter waves iii) control group

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	36.11 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	10 minutes, three times at an interval of 2 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	millimeter wave radiator
Setup	culture plate placed under the radiator in a thermotank at 37 °C

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: expression of nucleostemin (immunofluorescence; Western blot) and neuron-specific enolase (immunocytochemistry)
morphol./histopathol. changes: cell differentiation

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The untreated bone marrow stromal cells predominately expressed nucleostemin (a marker protein of stem cells prior to differentiation). After treatment by beta-mercaptoethanol and millimeter waves, the cells exhibited a dramatic decrease in nucleostemin expression and increase in neuron-specific enolase expression (a marker protein for neurons). The differentiation rate of the cells treated with beta-mercaptoethanol and millimeter wave exposure in combination was significantly higher than that of the cells treated with beta-mercaptoethanol alone.
The authors conclude that millimeter wave exposure enhanced the inducing effect of beta-mercaptoethanol on the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into cells with a neural phenotype.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Wilmink GJ et al. (2011): In vitro investigation of the biological effects associated with human dermal fibroblasts exposed to 2.52 THz radiation
Wu GW et al. (2009): Experimental study of millimeter wave-induced differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes
Del Vecchio G et al. (2009): Continuous exposure to 900MHz GSM-modulated EMF alters morphological maturation of neural cells
Inoue S et al. (2008): Microwave irradiation induces neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway
Prisco MG et al. (2008): Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells
Bourne N et al. (2008): The effects of terahertz radiation on human keratinocyte primary cultures and neural cell cultures
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