STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields.
Hao Y, Yang X, Chen C, Yuan-Wang, Wang X, Li M, Yu Z · 2010
View Original AbstractWiFi-frequency radiation activated brain immune cells and triggered inflammation through a specific cellular pathway in just 20 minutes of exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed brain immune cells called microglia to 2.45 GHz radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) for 20 minutes and found it activated these cells through a specific cellular pathway called STAT3. The activated microglia began producing inflammatory molecules including nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. This matters because microglial activation is linked to brain inflammation and neurological problems.
Why This Matters
This study provides important mechanistic evidence that radiofrequency radiation can trigger brain inflammation at the cellular level. The researchers identified the specific STAT3 signaling pathway through which 2.45 GHz EMF activates microglia, the brain's immune cells. What makes this particularly concerning is that chronic microglial activation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment. The SAR level used (6.2 W/kg) is higher than typical phone use but within range of close contact with WiFi routers or other wireless devices. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure doesn't just heat tissue - it can trigger specific biological responses in brain cells that may contribute to neuroinflammation and related health problems.
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):
- 15.5x 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
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.
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},
}