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Microwave-induced Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity of NK Cells through ERK1/2 Signaling

Li Zhao1, Jing Li2, Yan Hui Hao1

  • 1Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES
|May 28, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Microwaves cause dose-dependent damage to natural killer (NK) cells, affecting their function and survival. This injury may involve the ERK signaling pathway, impacting apoptosis and perforin expression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity.
  • Exposure to non-ionizing radiation, such as microwaves, raises concerns about potential biological effects.
  • Understanding cellular responses to microwave exposure is vital for safety assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of microwave exposure on the morphology and function of NK-92 cells.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of microwave-induced NK cell injury.
  • To assess the role of the ERK signaling pathway in these effects.

Main Methods:

  • NK-92 cells were exposed to varying microwave intensities (10, 30, 50 mW/cm2).
  • Morphological changes, apoptosis, cell cycle, cytotoxic activity, and protein expression (perforin, NKG2D, p-ERK) were analyzed.
  • ERK signaling was blocked using U0126 to study its role in microwave-induced effects.

Main Results:

  • Microwave exposure induced dose-dependent morphological damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in NK-92 cells.
  • Cytotoxic activity and perforin expression were significantly reduced following microwave exposure.
  • Downregulation of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) was observed, and ERK blockade exacerbated microwave-induced apoptosis and perforin downregulation.

Conclusions:

  • Microwaves induce significant morphological and functional injury in NK-92 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
  • The ERK signaling pathway appears to play a role in mediating microwave-induced apoptosis and regulating perforin expression in NK cells.
Keywords:
ApoptosisCell cycleCytotoxicityMicrowaveNatural killer cellsPerforin

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