17-β-Estradiol Counteracts the Effects of High Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Trophoblastic Connexins and Integrins

Franco Cervellati,Giuseppe Valacchi,Fortunato Vesce,Elena Fabbri,Paola Valbonesi,Laura Lunghi,Carla Biondi,Roberto Marci

doi:10.1155/2013/280850

Abstract

We investigated the effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMFs) and 17-β-estradiol on connexins (Cxs), integrins (Ints), and estrogen receptor (ER) expression, as well as on ultrastructure of trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SVneo cells. HF-EMF, 17-β-estradiol, and their combination induced an increase of Cx40 and Cx43 mRNA expression. HF-EMF decreased Int alpha1 and β1 mRNA levels but enhanced Int alpha5 mRNA expression. All the Ints mRNA expressions were increased by 17-β-estradiol and exposure to both stimuli. ER-β mRNA was reduced by HF-EMF but augmented by 17-β-estradiol alone or with HF-EMF. ER-β immunofluorescence showed a cytoplasmic localization in sham and HF-EMF exposed cells which became nuclear after treatment with hormone or both stimuli. Electron microscopy evidenced a loss of cellular contact in exposed cells which appeared counteracted by 17-β-estradiol. We demonstrate that 17-β-estradiol modulates Cxs and Ints as well as ER-β expression induced by HF-EMF, suggesting an influence of both stimuli on trophoblast differentiation and migration.

Highlights

Broadcasting systems and mobile phones generate highfrequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMFs) ranging from 30 kHz to 300 GHz
We investigated the effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMFs) and 17-β-estradiol on connexins (Cxs), integrins (Ints), and estrogen receptor (ER) expression, as well as on ultrastructure of trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SVneo cells
We demonstrate that 17-β-estradiol modulates Cxs and Ints as well as ER-β expression induced by HF-EMF, suggesting an influence of both stimuli on trophoblast differentiation and migration

Summary

Introduction

Broadcasting systems and mobile phones generate highfrequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMFs) ranging from 30 kHz to 300 GHz. As a consequence of their widely increasing diffusion human beings are today chronically exposed to such sources of energy, whose influences on physiological responses have not been yet exhaustively investigated. In vivo human evaluation of brain glucose metabolism showed a significant increase upon acute cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure [3, 4]. A decrease in the number of mouse offspring, a prevalence of males over females, and an increase of stillbirth were reported [7]. More recently it has been reported that the use of mobile phone decreases the human sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology [8, 9] probably due to oxidative stress [10]

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