Modulation of MCP-1 and iNOS by 50-Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field
Reale M, De Lutiis MA, Patruno A, Speranza L, Felaco M, Grilli A, Macrì MA, Comani S, Conti P, Di Luzio S · 2006
View Original AbstractPower-frequency magnetic fields altered immune cell function, reducing infection-fighting molecules while increasing inflammatory signals at 1 milliTesla exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human immune cells called monocytes to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) at 1 milliTesla overnight. They found the fields altered production of two important immune signaling molecules: reducing nitric oxide synthase (which helps fight infections) while increasing MCP-1 (which attracts immune cells to sites of inflammation). These changes suggest power-frequency magnetic fields can disrupt normal immune system function.
Why This Matters
This study demonstrates that power-frequency magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla can alter fundamental immune system processes in human cells. The exposure level used here is quite high compared to typical residential exposures from power lines (usually measured in microTesla), but it's within the range found near some electrical equipment or occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is that it shows EMF can have opposing effects on different immune pathways simultaneously - suppressing one protective mechanism while enhancing inflammatory responses. The science demonstrates that our immune cells don't simply ignore electromagnetic exposures. While more research is needed to understand the full health implications, this adds to the growing body of evidence that EMF can influence biological processes at the cellular level, particularly in our body's defense systems.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 1 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 1 mG for magnetic fields:
- 50Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 10Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether overnight exposure to 1 mT–50 Hz extremely low-frequency sinusoidal electromagnetic field (EMF) affects the expression and production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in human monocytes.
RT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrate that EMF exposure affects the expression of iNOS and M...
These results provide helpful information regarding the EMF-mediated modulation of the inflammatory response in vivo. However, additional studies are necessary to demonstrate that EMF acts as a nonpharmacological inhibitor of NO and inducer of MCP-1 in some diseases where the balance of MCP-1 and NO may be important.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2006_modulation_of_mcp1_and_450,
author = {Reale M and De Lutiis MA and Patruno A and Speranza L and Felaco M and Grilli A and Macrì MA and Comani S and Conti P and Di Luzio S},
title = {Modulation of MCP-1 and iNOS by 50-Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field},
year = {2006},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1089860305001783},
}