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Brain & Nervous System104 citations

Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.

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Buttiglione M, Roca L, Montemurno E, Vitiello F, Capozzi V, Cibelli G. · 2007

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Exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation affected Egr-1 gene expression and cell regulatory functions involving apoptosis inhibitors Bcl-2 and survivin in human neuroblastoma cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation at 1 W/kg to study effects on gene expression and cell-cycle control. Short-term exposures produced a transient increase in Egr-1 mRNA levels along with activation of the MAPK subtypes ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK. Exposure had an anti-proliferative effect, and a significant G2-M cell-cycle arrest was observed, with signs of apoptosis appearing after 24 hours. A significant decrease in mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and survivin genes, both linked to signaling between G2-M arrest and apoptosis, was also observed.

Why This Matters

The cells were exposed for several durations, ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours, while control cultures were kept in an RF-free environment for the same times. Gene expression was analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, protein activation via Western blot, and cell viability using the MTT assay. The increase in Egr-1 mRNA was described as transient, meaning it did not persist across all exposure durations. The researchers noted that their results provide insights into a potentially broad mechanism for controlling cell viability in vitro.

Exposure Details

SAR
1 W/kg
Electric Field
23 V/m
Source/Device
900 MHz WPC antenna
Exposure Duration
continuous for 5, 15, 30 min, 6 ,24 h

Exposure Context

This study used 23 V/m for electric fields:

This study used 1 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: 1 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

This study was conducted to determine whether the radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.

In order to elucidate the effect of RF radiation on the transcriptional induction of Egr‐1, SH‐SY5Y ...

Short‐term exposures induced a transient increase in Egr‐1 mRNA level paralleled with activation of ...

Our results provide evidence that exposure to a 900 MHz‐modulated RF radiation affect both Egr‐1 gene expression and cell regulatory functions, involving apoptosis inhibitors like Bcl‐2 and survivin, thus providing important insights into a potentially broad mechanism for controlling in vitro cell viability.

Cite This Study
Buttiglione M, Roca L, Montemurno E, Vitiello F, Capozzi V, Cibelli G. (2007). Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells. J Cell Physiol. 213(3):759-767, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2007_radiofrequency_radiation_900_mhz_24,
  author = {Buttiglione M and Roca L and Montemurno E and Vitiello F and Capozzi V and Cibelli G.},
  title = {Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1002/jcp.21146},
  url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcp.21146/full},
}
DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21146

Cited By (104 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The study used human neuroblastoma cells.
Cells were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation at 1 W/kg averaged SAR.
Exposure had an anti-proliferative effect on SH-SY5Y cells, with a significant effect observed at 24 hours.
The sub-G1 peak, described as a hallmark of apoptosis, appeared after a 24-hour exposure, along with a significant decrease in Bcl-2 and survivin mRNA levels.
The researchers found evidence that 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation affected Egr-1 gene expression and cell regulatory functions involving apoptosis inhibitors.