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Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells

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Chen C, Ma Q, Liu C, Deng P, Zhu G, Zhang L, He M, Lu Y, Duan W, Pei L, Li M, Yu Z, Zhou Z · 2014

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Exposure to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at 4 W/kg for 3 days inhibited neurite outgrowth in embryonic neural stem cell-derived neurons.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at SAR values of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1, 2, and 3 days. RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. However, neurite outgrowth of eNSC-derived neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg RF-EMF exposure for 3 days. The mRNA and protein expression of proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD were decreased after RF-EMF exposure, while expression of their inhibitor Hes1 was upregulated.

Why This Matters

Embryonic neural stem cells play a critical role in brain development, which was the researchers' reason for studying RF-EMF effects on them. Many measures of eNSC health, including apoptosis, proliferation, and cell cycle, were unaffected by RF-EMF exposure. The affected outcome was neurite outgrowth, the process by which neurons extend projections, and the genes Ngn1 and NeuroD are described as crucial for this process. The researchers suggested that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure impairs neurite outgrowth of eNSCs and called for more attention to potential adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure on brain development.

Exposure Details

SAR
1, 2, and 4 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz RF-EMF
Exposure Duration
3 days

Exposure Context

This study used 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1, 2, and 4 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) play a critical role in brain development. Thus, detecting the effects of RF-EMF on eNSCs is important for exploring the effects of RF-EMF on brain development.

Here, we exposed eNSCs to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 1, 2, and 4 W...

We found that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle o...

These results together suggested that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure impairs neurite outgrowth of eNSCs. More attention should be given to the potential adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure on brain development

Cite This Study
Chen C, Ma Q, Liu C, Deng P, Zhu G, Zhang L, He M, Lu Y, Duan W, Pei L, Li M, Yu Z, Zhou Z (2014). Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells Sci Rep. 2014 May 29;4:5103. doi: 10.1038/srep05103.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2014_exposure_to_1800_mhz_80,
  author = {Chen C and Ma Q and Liu C and Deng P and Zhu G and Zhang L and He M and Lu Y and Duan W and Pei L and Li M and Yu Z and Zhou Z},
  title = {Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/srep05103},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used embryonic neural stem cells, which the researchers noted play a critical role in brain development.
The eNSCs were exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at SAR values of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1, 2, and 3 days.
RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, or cell cycle.
The proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD, described as crucial for neurite outgrowth, showed decreased mRNA and protein expression, while their inhibitor Hes1 was upregulated.
The researchers suggested their results indicated impaired neurite outgrowth and called for more attention to the potential adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure on brain development.