5G RF-EMFs Mitigate UV-Induced Genotoxic Stress Through Redox Balance and p38 Pathway Regulation in Skin Cells
Kim JH, Jin H, Jang KM, Lee JE, Na S, Jeon S, Choi HD, Moon JI, Kim N, Lim KM, Kim HR, Lee YS. 5G RF-EMFs Mitigate UV-Induced Genotoxic Stress Through Redox Balance and p38 Pathway Regulation in Skin Cells · 2026
Post-exposure to 5G RF-EMFs reduced UVA-induced DNA damage markers and ROS accumulation in skin cells, accompanied by attenuation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human keratinocytes and murine melanoma cells to UVA radiation followed by 5G RF-EMFs at 3.5 and 28 GHz. Post-UV RF-EMF exposure significantly reduced DNA damage markers such as γH2AX foci formation by approximately 30–50% and comet tail moments by 60–80%, and suppressed intracellular ROS accumulation by 56–93%. These effects were accompanied by selective attenuation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation reduced by 55–85%. The magnitude of molecular protection was comparable to that of N-acetylcysteine treatment or pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK. However, RF-EMF exposure did not reverse UV-induced reductions in cell viability or alterations in cell cycle distribution.
Why This Matters
The study addresses the unresolved question of biological effects of RF-EMFs in the context of 5G deployment. The skin is a relevant model because it is continuously exposed to both RF-EMFs and UV radiation, a well-established inducer of oxidative stress and DNA damage. The findings provide mechanistic insight into the interaction between modern telecommunication frequencies and UV-induced skin stress.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{kim_jh_jin_h_jang_km_lee_je_na_s_jeon_s_choi_hd_moon_ji_kim_n_lim_km_kim_hr_lee_ys_5g_rf_emfs_mitigate_uv_induced_genotoxic_stress_through_redox_balance_and_p38_pathway_regulation_in_skin_cells_ce4729,
author = {Kim JH and Jin H and Jang KM and Lee JE and Na S and Jeon S and Choi HD and Moon JI and Kim N and Lim KM and Kim HR and Lee YS. 5G RF-EMFs Mitigate UV-Induced Genotoxic Stress Through Redox Balance and p38 Pathway Regulation in Skin Cells},
title = {5G RF-EMFs Mitigate UV-Induced Genotoxic Stress Through Redox Balance and p38 Pathway Regulation in Skin Cells},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15010127},
}