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DNA & Genetic Damage

Analysis of gene expression in a human-derived glial cell line exposed to 2.45 GHz continuous radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

No Effects Found

Sakurai T, Kiyokawa T, Narita E, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J. · 2011

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Human brain cells showed no gene expression changes after 24-hour exposure to WiFi-frequency radiation, even at levels exceeding phone safety limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Japanese researchers exposed human brain cells (glial cells) to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation at various power levels for up to 24 hours and examined whether this changed gene activity. Using advanced genetic analysis techniques, they found no significant changes in how genes were expressed in the exposed cells compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that RF radiation at these levels did not trigger detectable genetic responses in this type of brain cell.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 2.45 GHz Duration: 1, 4, and 24 h

Study Details

The increasing use of mobile phones has aroused public concern regarding the potential health risks of radiofrequency (RF) fields. We investigated the effects of exposure to RF fields (2.45 GHz, continuous wave) at specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1, 5, and 10 W/kg for 1, 4, and 24 h on gene expression in a normal human glial cell line, SVGp12, using DNA microarray.

Microarray analysis revealed 23 assigned gene spots and 5 non-assigned gene spots as prospective alt...

Under the experimental conditions used in this study, we found no evidence that exposure to RF fields affected gene expression in SVGp12 cells.

Cite This Study
Sakurai T, Kiyokawa T, Narita E, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J. (2011). Analysis of gene expression in a human-derived glial cell line exposed to 2.45 GHz continuous radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. J Radiat Res. 52(2):185-192, 2011.
Show BibTeX
@article{t_2011_analysis_of_gene_expression_3347,
  author = {Sakurai T and Kiyokawa T and Narita E and Suzuki Y and Taki M and Miyakoshi J.},
  title = {Analysis of gene expression in a human-derived glial cell line exposed to 2.45 GHz continuous radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.},
  year = {2011},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21343680/},
}
PubMed: 21343680

Cited By (52 papers)

View all 52 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2011 Japanese study found no significant changes in gene expression when human brain glial cells were exposed to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation for up to 24 hours. The researchers used advanced microarray analysis and confirmed their findings with additional genetic testing methods.
Research on SVGp12 human brain cells showed no detectable genetic alterations after exposure to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency fields. Despite identifying 23 potential gene changes through initial screening, follow-up analysis confirmed no significant gene expression differences between exposed and control cells.
Human brain glial cells showed no gene expression changes after continuous 2.45 GHz exposure for up to 24 hours in laboratory conditions. The 2011 study tested various power levels and found no evidence that this microwave frequency affected cellular genetic activity.
Microarray analysis of brain cells exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation initially identified 28 potential gene alterations, but detailed follow-up testing using reverse transcription-PCR confirmed no significant changes. The study concluded that WiFi-frequency radiation did not affect gene expression in these conditions.
The 2011 Japanese study by Sakurai and colleagues used rigorous methodology including microarray analysis and PCR validation to examine gene expression in brain cells. Their finding of no genetic effects from 2.45 GHz exposure provides valuable data for EMF safety assessments.