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Effects on protein kinase C and gene expression in a human mast cell line, HMC-1, following microwave exposure.

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Harvey C, French PW · 2000

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Low-power microwave exposure altered gene expression and protein kinase C localization in human mast cells, with no effect on cell shape.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed a human mast cell line, HMC-1, to continuous wave microwave radiation at 864.3 MHz at an average specific absorption rate of 7 W/kg. Cells were given three exposures each of 20-min duration daily for 7 days. Expression of three genes out of 588 screened was affected, including the proto-oncogene c-kit, the transcription factor Nucleoside diphosphate kinase B, and the apoptosis-associated gene DAD-1. No significant effect on morphology or on F-actin distribution was detected.

Why This Matters

The study aimed to determine non-thermal biological effects of microwave exposure, and the temperature of the cell culture medium during exposure fell to 26.5 degrees C. Stress response genes were variably upregulated in the exposed cells. The researchers concluded that low-power microwave exposure may act on HMC-1 cells by altering gene expression via a mechanism involving activation of protein kinase C. They also noted this occurred at temperatures well below those known to induce a heat shock response.

Exposure Details

SAR
7 W/kg
Source/Device
864.3 MHz
Exposure Duration
20-min duration daily for 7 days

Exposure Context

This study used 7 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: 7 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 4 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 864.3 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 864.3 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Effects on protein kinase C and gene expression in a human mast cell line, HMC-1, following microwave exposure.

We used a resonant cavity which delivered a continuous wave exposure at 864.3 MHz at an average spec...

The temperature of the cell culture medium during the exposure fell to 26.5 degrees C. Effects were ...

We conclude that low-power microwave exposure may act on HMC-1 cells by altering gene expression via a mechanism involving activation of protein kinase C, and at temperatures well below those known to induce a heat shock response.

Cite This Study
Harvey C, French PW (2000). Effects on protein kinase C and gene expression in a human mast cell line, HMC-1, following microwave exposure. Cell Biol Int 23(11):739-748, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2000_effects_on_protein_kinase_1017,
  author = {Harvey C and French PW},
  title = {Effects on protein kinase C and gene expression in a human mast cell line, HMC-1, following microwave exposure.},
  year = {2000},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10736198/},
}
PubMed: 10736198

Cited By (56 papers)

View all 56 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

The researchers used a human mast cell line, HMC-1, as the biological target.
A resonant cavity delivered continuous wave exposure at 864.3 MHz at an average SAR of 7 W/kg, with cells given three 20-minute exposures daily for 7 days.
Expression of three genes out of 588 screened was affected.
No significant effect on morphology or on F-actin distribution was detected.
The researchers concluded that low-power microwave exposure may act on HMC-1 cells by altering gene expression via a mechanism involving activation of protein kinase C, at temperatures well below those known to induce a heat shock response.