Abstract
BackgroundAlthough IARC clarifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) as possible human carcinogen, the debate on its health impact continues due to the inconsistent results. Genotoxic effect has been considered as a golden standard to determine if an environmental factor is a carcinogen, but the currently available data for RF-EMF remain controversial. As an environmental stimulus, the effect of RF-EMF on cellular DNA may be subtle. Therefore, more sensitive method and systematic research strategy are warranted to evaluate its genotoxicity.ObjectivesTo determine whether RF-EMF does induce DNA damage and if the effect is cell-type dependent by adopting a more sensitive method γH2AX foci formation; and to investigate the biological consequences if RF-EMF does increase γH2AX foci formation.MethodsSix different types of cells were intermittently exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF-EMF at a specific absorption rate of 3.0 W/kg for 1 h or 24 h, then subjected to immunostaining with anti-γH2AX antibody. The biological consequences in γH2AX-elevated cell type were further explored with comet and TUNEL assays, flow cytometry, and cell growth assay.ResultsExposure to RF-EMF for 24 h significantly induced γH2AX foci formation in Chinese hamster lung cells and Human skin fibroblasts (HSFs), but not the other cells. However, RF-EMF-elevated γH2AX foci formation in HSF cells did not result in detectable DNA fragmentation, sustainable cell cycle arrest, cell proliferation or viability change. RF-EMF exposure slightly but not significantly increased the cellular ROS level.ConclusionsRF-EMF induces DNA damage in a cell type-dependent manner, but the elevated γH2AX foci formation in HSF cells does not result in significant cellular dysfunctions.
Highlights
With the rapid development of mobile communications, e.g., globally estimated 5.9 billion mobile phone subscriptions at the end of 2011 [1], exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile telephony has become a major public health concern
Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) for 24 h significantly induced cH2AX foci formation in Chinese hamster lung cells and Human skin fibroblasts (HSFs), but not the other cells
RF-EMF-elevated cH2AX foci formation in HSF cells did not result in detectable DNA fragmentation, sustainable cell cycle arrest, cell proliferation or viability change
Summary
With the rapid development of mobile communications, e.g., globally estimated 5.9 billion mobile phone subscriptions at the end of 2011 [1], exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile telephony has become a major public health concern. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) working group classifies RF-EMF as ‘‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’’ (Group 2B), in view of the limited evidence in humans and in experimental animals [4]. It seems that more reliable epidemiological methodology is required to elucidate the impact of this environmental factor on human health. It would be helpful to interpret the reported epidemiological findings if a genotoxicity of RF-EMF could be firmly established. For this reason, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have examined its genotoxic potential. More sensitive method and systematic research strategy are warranted to evaluate its genotoxicity
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