Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Molecular basis underlying the biological effects elicited by extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on neuroblastoma cells med./bio.

Published in: J Cell Biochem 2011; 112 (12): 3797-3806

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of an extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure at different times on protein expression in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Background/further details

All experiments were repeated four times.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 5, 10 or 15 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 5, 10 or 15 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup cells exposed in plates with 24 wells
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Di Loreto S et al. (2009): Fifty hertz extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure elicits redox and trophic response in rat-cortical neurons
  • Falone S et al. (2007): Fifty hertz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field causes changes in redox and differentiative status in neuroblastoma cells

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Following 15 days of exposure the data revealed nine new proteins involved in a cellular defence mechanism and/or in cellular organization and proliferation: peroxiredoxin isoenzymes (2, 3 and 6), 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, actin cytoplasmatic 2, T-complex protein subunit beta, ropporin-1A, profilin-2 and spindlin-1.
The results indicated that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure significantly increased cell proliferation, cell count and cell viability and altered the cytoskeletal organization: exposed cells were less clustered and showed an increase in tubulin expression.
These findings showed that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure could trigger significant changes in the protein profile of SH-SY5Y cells. In particular, the expression levels of common proteins spots involved in cellular defence mechanisms, organization and biogenesis increased as a consequence of the magnetic field exposure. Thus, these findings support the author's hypothesis that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure could trigger a shift towards a more invasive phenotype.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles