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Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on endoplasmic reticulum stress
E Keczan1, G Keri2, G Banhegyi1
1Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Summary
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) can reduce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in liver cancer cells. This non-invasive therapy decreased ER stress markers and improved cell viability, offering potential therapeutic benefits for ER-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis is vital for cell survival.
- Disrupted ER proteostasis triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), leading to ER stress.
- Unresolved ER stress can cause apoptotic cell death and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on ER-stressed cell lines.
- To assess PEMF's effect on ER stress markers and cell viability.
Main Methods:
- PEMF treatment was applied to human embryonic kidney (HEK293T), human liver carcinoma (HepG2), and HeLa cell lines.
- HepG2 cells were induced into ER stress using tunicamycin.
- ER stress markers (Grp94, PDI, CHOP, PARP) and cell viability were analyzed via Western blot and other assays.
Main Results:
- PEMF differentially affected ER stress markers across cell lines; HeLa cells showed increased markers, while HEK293T and HepG2 showed no significant change initially.
- In tunicamycin-induced HepG2 cells, PEMF treatment reduced elevated levels of ER chaperones (Grp94, PDI) and the apoptosis marker (CHOP).
- PEMF exposure also decreased the inactive form of PARP and improved overall cell viability in stressed HepG2 cells.
Conclusions:
- PEMF demonstrates a capacity to moderate tunicamycin-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells.
- The study highlights that different cell lines exhibit varied responses to PEMF treatment.
- PEMF presents a potential non-invasive therapeutic strategy for managing ER stress-related conditions.
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