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Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Exposure Reduces Hypoxia and Inflammation Damage in Neuron-Like and Microglial Cells
Fabrizio Vincenzi1, Annalisa Ravani1, Silvia Pasquini1
1Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Abstract:
In the present study, the effect of low-frequency, low-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) has been investigated by using different cell lines derived from neuron-like cells and microglial cells. In particular, the primary aim was to evaluate the effect of PEMF exposure in inflammation- and hypoxia-induced injury in two different neuronal cell models, the human neuroblastoma-derived SH-SY5Y cells and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and in N9 microglial cells. In neuron-like cells, live/dead and apoptosis assays were performed in hypoxia conditions from 2 to 48 h. Interestingly, PEMF exposure counteracted hypoxia damage significantly reducing cell death and apoptosis. In the same cell lines, PEMFs inhibited the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), the master transcriptional regulator of cellular response to hypoxia. The effect of PEMF exposure on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in both neuron-like and microglial cells was investigated considering their key role in ischemic injury. PEMFs significantly decreased hypoxia-induced ROS generation in PC12, SH-SY5Y, and N9 cells after 24 or 48 h of incubation. Moreover, PEMFs were able to reduce some of the most well-known pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 release in N9 microglial cells stimulated with different concentrations of LPS for 24 or 48 h of incubation time. These results show a protective effect of PEMFs on hypoxia damage in neuron-like cells and an anti-inflammatory effect in microglial cells suggesting that PEMFs could represent a potential therapeutic approach in cerebral ischemic conditions. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1200-1208, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) protect neuron-like cells from hypoxia damage and reduce inflammation in microglial cells. This suggests PEMFs may be a promising therapeutic for cerebral ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cerebral ischemia involves hypoxia and inflammation, leading to neuronal damage.
- Microglial cells play a key role in neuroinflammation.
- Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical in cellular response to hypoxia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of low-frequency, low-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on hypoxia-induced injury in neuron-like cells (SH-SY5Y, PC12) and inflammation in microglial cells (N9).
- To evaluate PEMF's impact on cell death, apoptosis, HIF-1α activation, ROS production, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of neuron-like cells (SH-SY5Y, PC12) and N9 microglial cells to hypoxia and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Assessment of cell viability, apoptosis, HIF-1α, ROS generation, and cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) following PEMF treatment.
- Live/dead and apoptosis assays were performed in hypoxia conditions.
Main Results:
- PEMF exposure significantly reduced cell death and apoptosis in neuron-like cells under hypoxia.
- PEMFs inhibited HIF-1α activation and decreased ROS production in both neuron-like and microglial cells.
- PEMFs significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) in LPS-stimulated N9 microglial cells.
Conclusions:
- PEMFs demonstrate a protective effect against hypoxia-induced damage in neuronal cells.
- PEMFs exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in microglial cells.
- PEMF therapy holds potential as a therapeutic strategy for conditions like cerebral ischemia.
