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STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields.

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Hao Y, Yang X, Chen C, Yuan-Wang, Wang X, Li M, Yu Z · 2010

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Exposure of mouse microglial cells to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields activated the STAT3 signalling pathway and increased transcription of inflammation-associated genes.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed murine N9 microglial cells to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields and examined several molecular markers of cell activation. After exposure, a significant increase of STAT3 DNA-binding ability was noted, and EMF rapidly induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and activated JAK1 and JAK2. Transcription levels of the inflammation-associated genes iNOS and TNF-alpha also increased after EMF exposure. When a JAK inhibitor called P6 was applied, it reduced induction of iNOS and TNF-alpha, nuclear factor binding activity, and activation of STAT3 in EMF-stimulated microglia.

Why This Matters

The study focused on microglia, which the researchers described as playing a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of central nervous system insult. The researchers used Western blot analysis and electrophoresis mobility shift assay to measure protein expressions and DNA binding activity. Levels of a nitric oxide derivative called nitrite were measured in the culture medium using the Griess reaction. The mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and iNOS were detected by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. The researchers noted that iNOS and TNF-alpha are reported to contain STAT-binding elements in their promoter region, which is consistent with the observed STAT3 involvement.

Exposure Details

SAR
6.2 W/kg
Source/Device
2.45 GHz
Exposure Duration
continuous for 20 minutes

Exposure Context

This study used 6.2 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: 6.2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects 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 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

Study Details

Microglia activation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of central nervous system (CNS) insult. The aim of the present work was to investigate the activation of microglia and involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in microglia activation after 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure.

In this study, murine N9 microglial cells were exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF, the protein expressions of S...

A significant increase of STAT3 DNA-binding ability was noted after exposure. Consistent with this, ...

These results provide evidence that EMF exposure can initiate the activation of microglia cells and STAT3 signalling involves in EMF-induced microglial activation.

Cite This Study
Hao Y, Yang X, Chen C, Yuan-Wang, Wang X, Li M, Yu Z (2010). STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(1):27-36, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2010_stat3_signalling_pathway_is_106,
  author = {Hao Y and Yang X and Chen C and Yuan-Wang and Wang X and Li M and Yu Z},
  title = {STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields.},
  year = {2010},
  doi = {10.3109/09553000903264507},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09553000903264507},
}
DOI: 10.3109/09553000903264507

Cited By (34 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used murine N9 microglial cells exposed to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields.
A significant increase of STAT3 DNA-binding ability was noted after exposure, and EMF rapidly induced phosphorylation of STAT3.
EMF exposure increased transcription levels of the inflammation-associated genes iNOS and TNF-alpha.
P6, a JAK inhibitor, reduced induction of iNOS and TNF-alpha, nuclear factor binding activity, and activation of STAT3 in EMF-stimulated microglia.
The results provide evidence that EMF exposure can initiate the activation of microglia cells and that STAT3 signalling is involved in EMF-induced microglial activation.