Static electric field (SEF) exposure promotes the proliferation of B lymphocytes

Abstract

With the rapid development of ultra-high voltage direct current (UHV DC) transmission technology, the intensity of electric fields in the surrounding environment of UHV DC transmission lines significantly increased, which raised public concerns about the potential health effects of electric fields. Previous studies have shown that the exposure of electromagnetic field was associated with cancer. B lymphocytes can produce autoantibodies and tumor growth factors through proliferation, which contributes to the development of cancer. Therefore, this study explored the effect and mechanism of static electric field (SEF) generated by DC transmission lines on the proliferation levels of B lymphocytes. Male mice were exposed to SEF. After the exposure of 7 and 14 days, the proliferation levels of B lymphocytes in the spleens of mice were measured, respectively. To validate biological effect discovered in animal experiments and elucidate the mechanism of the effect from the perspective of signaling pathways, lymphocytes were exposed to SEF. After the exposure of 24, 48 or 72 h, the proliferation levels of B lymphocytes, the expression levels of key proteins and cell cycle were determined. This study found that SEF exposure activated NF-κB pathway by stimulating ERK1/2 pathway and promoted B lymphocytes to enter S phase from G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, SEF exposure also promoted B lymphocytes to enter G2 phase. Namely, SEF exposure significantly promoted the proliferation of B lymphocytes. This discovery provided theoretical and practical support for the prevention or application of negative or positive effects caused by SEF exposure and provided directions for future research.