Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields induce neural differentiation in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Kim HJ, Jung J, Park JH, Kim JH, Ko KN, Kim CW. · 2013
View Original Abstract50-Hz electromagnetic fields can trigger stem cells to become neurons, revealing EMFs' complex biological effects beyond simple harm.
Plain English Summary
Korean researchers exposed bone marrow stem cells to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in power lines) and found the fields triggered these cells to transform into nerve cells instead of continuing to multiply. The electromagnetic exposure increased calcium levels inside the cells and activated specific proteins involved in nerve development. This suggests extremely low-frequency EMFs might have therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases by promoting the growth of new neurons.
Why This Matters
This research adds an intriguing dimension to our understanding of how extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields affect cellular behavior. While most EMF research focuses on potential harm, this study suggests 50-Hz fields - the same frequency emitted by power lines and household wiring - can actually guide stem cells toward becoming neurons. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure altered calcium regulation and protein expression in ways that promoted neural differentiation. What this means for you is complex: while the therapeutic potential is promising, we're still learning how chronic, uncontrolled EMF exposure from our electrical infrastructure affects the delicate processes of cellular development and repair in living organisms. The reality is that controlled, targeted EMF therapy in a clinical setting is vastly different from the constant, involuntary exposure we experience from our modern electrical environment.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To investigate the correlation between ELF-EMF exposure and differentiation, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were subjected to a 50-Hz electromagnetic field during in vitro expansion.
The influence of ELF-EMF on BM-MSCs was analysed by a range of different analytical methods to under...
ELF-EMF exposure significantly decreased the rate of proliferation, which in turn caused an increase...
These proteins may help understand the effect of ELF-EMF stimulation on BM-MSCs during neural differentiation and its potential use as a clinically therapeutic option for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Show BibTeX
@article{hj_2013_extremely_lowfrequency_electromagnetic_fields_1750,
author = {Kim HJ and Jung J and Park JH and Kim JH and Ko KN and Kim CW.},
title = {Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields induce neural differentiation in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.},
year = {2013},
doi = {10.1177/1535370213497173},
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1535370213497173},
}