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Oxidative Stress

Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells.

No Effects Found

Simkó M, Hartwig C, Lantow M, Lupke M, Mattsson MO, Rahman Q, Rollwitz J. · 2006

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RF radiation at cell phone levels failed to trigger cellular stress responses in human immune cells, unlike air pollution particles which caused significant oxidative damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human immune cells to radiofrequency radiation at cell phone levels (2 W/kg SAR) and ultrafine air pollution particles to see if they would trigger cellular stress responses. They found that while the particles caused significant oxidative stress and free radical production, the RF radiation alone showed no measurable effects on stress proteins or free radical levels, even when combined with the particles.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 HzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 217Hz

Study Details

The aim of the present study was to investigate Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells

we investigate if exposure to UFP (12-14 nm, 100 microg/ml) and RF-electromagnetic fields (EMF; 2 W/...

Our results clearly show that Mono Mac 6 cells are capable to internalise UFP, and that this phagocy...

Therefore, we conclude that in the investigated Mono Mac 6 cells, RF exposure alone or in combination with UFP cannot influence stress-related responses.

Cite This Study
Simkó M, Hartwig C, Lantow M, Lupke M, Mattsson MO, Rahman Q, Rollwitz J. (2006). Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells. Toxicol Lett. (1):73-82, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2006_hsp70_expression_and_free_2889,
  author = {Simkó M and Hartwig C and Lantow M and Lupke M and Mattsson MO and Rahman Q and Rollwitz J.},
  title = {Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16153791/},
}
PubMed: 16153791

Cited By (98 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

A 2006 study found that 217Hz RF radiation at cell phone levels (2 W/kg SAR) produced no measurable effects on stress protein production or free radical levels in human immune cells, even when combined with air pollution particles that did cause significant oxidative stress.
Research on Mono Mac 6 immune cells showed that while ultrafine particles alone increased free radical production by 40-45%, adding radiofrequency radiation exposure did not potentiate or enhance these damaging effects in any measurable way.
A controlled study found that RF radiation at typical cell phone exposure levels failed to increase Hsp70 stress protein expression in human immune cells, unlike heat treatment which significantly boosted these protective proteins in a time-dependent manner.
Direct comparison showed ultrafine air pollution particles caused substantial oxidative stress responses in immune cells, while 2 W/kg SAR radiofrequency radiation - typical of cell phone exposure - produced no detectable stress-related cellular responses whatsoever.
Yes, Mono Mac 6 human immune cells effectively internalize particles and respond to stress stimuli like heat, making them sensitive models. However, they showed no response to radiofrequency radiation, suggesting RF may not trigger stress pathways in these cells.