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Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells.

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Kim SJ, Jang YW, Hyung KE, Lee DK, Hyun KH, Jeong SH, Min KH, Kang W, Jeong JH, Park SY, Hwang KW. · 2017

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Exposure to 60 Hz 0.8 mT ELF-EMF increased inflammatory responses in macrophage cells and was associated with higher inflammation even when an antioxidant was present.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers examined the effects of 60 Hz 0.8 mT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on a macrophage cell line called RAW 264.7. Under ELF-EMF exposure, production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased, and the expression of those genes was also upregulated. Cell proliferation was not altered by ELF-EMF exposure. The researchers suggest that ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants.

Why This Matters

The experiments were conducted on RAW 264.7 cells, a macrophage cell line. Beyond cytokine levels, ELF-EMF exposure increased translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus, which acts downstream of pro-inflammatory cytokines. ELF-EMF exposure also elevated activation of NFAT2 and positively affected the influx of calcium. When the antioxidant Resveratrol was present alongside ELF-EMF exposure, and when the antioxidant-related gene Prx-1 was downregulated, ELF-EMF was associated with higher inflammatory responses of macrophages.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.8 mT
Source/Device
60 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.8 mT for magnetic fields:

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: 0.8 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 4 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

In the present study, the effects of 60 Hz 0.8 mT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) were examined.

Under defined ELF-EMF exposure conditions, the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cyto...

These results suggest that an ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants.

Cite This Study
Kim SJ, Jang YW, Hyung KE, Lee DK, Hyun KH, Jeong SH, Min KH, Kang W, Jeong JH, Park SY, Hwang KW. (2017). Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 38(5):374-385, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{sj_2017_extremely_lowfrequency_electromagnetic_field_399,
  author = {Kim SJ and Jang YW and Hyung KE and Lee DK and Hyun KH and Jeong SH and Min KH and Kang W and Jeong JH and Park SY and Hwang KW.},
  title = {Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells.},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.22049},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.22049},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.22049

Cited By (30 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The experiments used RAW 264.7 cells, a macrophage cell line.
Production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased, and the expression of those genes was also upregulated.
Cell proliferation was not altered under ELF-EMF exposure conditions.
With both Resveratrol present and downregulation of the antioxidant-related gene Prx-1, ELF-EMF was associated with higher inflammatory responses of macrophages.
The researchers suggest that ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants.