Abstract
Previous studies have reported that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) can affect the processes of brain development, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. The proliferation and differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) is essential for brain development during the gestation period. To date, there is no report about the effects of ELF-EMF on eNSCs. In this paper, we studied the effects of ELF-EMF on the proliferation and differentiation of eNSCs. Primary cultured eNSCs were treated with 50 Hz ELF-EMF; various magnetic intensities and exposure times were applied. Our data showed that there was no significant change in cell proliferation, which was evaluated by cell viability (CCK-8 assay), DNA synthesis (Edu incorporation), average diameter of neurospheres, cell cycle distribution (flow cytometry) and transcript levels of cell cycle related genes (P53, P21 and GADD45 detected by real-time PCR). When eNSCs were induced to differentiation, real-time PCR results showed a down-regulation of Sox2 and up-regulation of Math1, Math3, Ngn1 and Tuj1 mRNA levels after 50 Hz ELF-EMF exposure (2 mT for 3 days), but the percentages of neurons (Tuj1 positive cells) and astrocytes (GFAP positive cells) were not altered when detected by immunofluorescence assay. Although cell proliferation and the percentages of neurons and astrocytes differentiated from eNSCs were not affected by 50 Hz ELF-EMF, the expression of genes regulating neuronal differentiation was altered. In conclusion, our results support that 50 Hz ELF-EMF induce molecular changes during eNSCs differentiation, which might be compensated by post-transcriptional mechanisms to support cellular homeostasis.
Highlights
Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) from power lines and consumer devices has progressively increased over the past 30-years [1]
ENSCs were plated onto coverslips or Flasks precoated with Poly-L-lysine (Sigma, USA) in a differentiation medium, in which basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) had been replaced with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (HyClone, USA)
Our data showed that intermittent exposure to 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) did not alter cell viability, DNA synthesis, average diameter of neurospheres, cell cycle, mRNA expression of P53, P21 and GADD45 of embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) in proliferation medium
Summary
Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) from power lines and consumer devices has progressively increased over the past 30-years [1]. This has provoked widespread public concern about the possible effects of ELF-EMF on human health. Epidemiologic surveys have pointed the possible association of the augmented risk of brain tumors [2], and Alzheimer’s disease [3], with exposure to ELF-EMF from overhead power lines and various consumer devices. Exposure of PC12 cells to ELF-EMF significantly suppressed or promoted neuronal differentiation in different culture conditions, whereas cell division was not changed [7]. The potential adverse effects of ELF-EMF exposure on the CNS remain an area of intense research
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