Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells
Lixia S, Yao K, Kaijun W, Deqiang L, Huajun H, Xiangwei G, Baohong W, Wei Z, Jianling L, Wei W. · 2006
View Original AbstractExposure of human lens epithelial cells to 1.8 GHz RF at 3 W/kg caused short-lived DNA damage, while Hsp70 protein levels rose at 2 and 3 W/kg with no change in cell proliferation.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human lens epithelial cells (hLEC) to a 1.8 GHz GSM radiofrequency field at SARs of 1, 2, and 3 W/kg for 2 hours and then measured DNA damage, Hsp70 expression, and cell proliferation. DNA breaks at 1 and 2 W/kg were not significantly different from controls at any time point, while the 3 W/kg dose showed significantly increased DNA damage only at 0 and 30 minutes after exposure. Hsp70 protein expression was significantly increased at 2 and 3 W/kg, but Hsp70 mRNA expression did not change in any group, and cell proliferation was unaffected at all doses.
Why This Matters
The study used a comet assay to detect DNA strand breaks at five time points after exposure, allowing researchers to track whether any damage persisted or was repaired over time. At the highest dose tested, DNA damage appeared immediately after exposure but was no longer detectable at 60, 120, or 240 minutes, suggesting the damage was transient. The researchers suggested that the increase in Hsp70 protein might be involved in protecting hLECs from DNA damage and maintaining the cellular capacity for proliferation. The authors concluded that exposure to non-thermal doses of RF can induce no or repairable DNA damage and increased Hsp70 protein expression without changing the cell proliferation rate.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1, 2 & 3 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1.8 GHz GSM (217 Hz amplitude-modulated)
Exposure Context
This study used 1, 2 & 3 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2.5x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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
To investigate the DNA damage, expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and cell proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (hLEC) after exposure to the 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field (RF) of a global system for mobile communications (GSM).
An Xc-1800 RF exposure system was used to employ a GSM signal at 1.8 GHz (217 Hz amplitude-modulated...
The results show that the difference of DNA-breaks between the exposed and sham-exposed (control) gr...
The results indicate that exposure to non-thermal dosages of RF for wireless communications can induce no or repairable DNA damage and the increased Hsp70 protein expression in hLECs occurred without change in the cell proliferation rate. The non-thermal stress response of Hsp70 protein increase to RF exposure might be involved in protecting hLEC from DNA damage and maintaining the cellular capacity for proliferation.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2006_effects_of_18ghz_radiofrequency_26,
author = {Lixia S and Yao K and Kaijun W and Deqiang L and Huajun H and Xiangwei G and Baohong W and Wei Z and Jianling L and Wei W.},
title = {Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells},
year = {2006},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0027510706002697},
}