Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Efficient Generation Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Somatic Cells with Sendai-virus
Published on: April 23, 2014
[Millimeter wave exposure induces apoptosis in human melanoma A375 cells in vitro]
Ruiting Zhao1, Yonghong Liu1, Sida Liu1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of millimeter wave (MMW) exposure on apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells and explore the mechanisms.
Methods:
Through electromagnetic field calculation we simulated MMW exposure in cells and calculated the specific absorption rate (SAR). The optimal irradiation parameters were determined according to the uniformity and intensity of the SAR. A375 cells were then exposed to MMV for 15, 30, 60, or 90 min, with or without pretreatment with the caspase-3 inhibitor AC-DEVD-fmk (10 μmol/L) for 1 h at 90 min before the exposure. CCK-8 assay was used to assess the changes in the viability and Annexin-V/ PI staining was used to detect the apoptosis of the cells following the exposures; Western blotting was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 in the cells.
Results:
The results of electromagnetic field calculation showed that for optimal MMV exposure, the incident field needed to be perpendicular to the bottom of the plastic Petri dish with the antenna placed below the dish. CCk-8 assay showed that MMW exposure significantly inhibited the cell viability in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05); exposures for 15, 30, 60, and 90 min all resulted in significantly increased apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.05). The cells with MMW exposure showed significantly increased expression of caspase-3. The inhibitory effect of MMW on the cell viability was antagonized significantly by pretreatment of the cells with AC-DEVD-fmk (P < 0.05), which increased the cell viability rate from (36.7±0.09)% to (59.8±0.06)% (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
35.2 GHz millimeter wave irradiation induces apoptosis in A375 cells by activating the caspase-3 protein.
Insights
Millimeter wave (MMW) exposure triggers apoptosis in human melanoma A375 cells by activating caspase-3. This finding suggests MMW could be a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with limited treatment options.
- Millimeter waves (MMW) are non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation with potential biological effects.
- Understanding MMW's impact on cancer cells is crucial for developing novel therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of millimeter wave (MMW) exposure on human melanoma A375 cells.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of MMW-induced cell death, specifically apoptosis.
- To determine the role of caspase-3 activation in MMW-mediated apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic field calculations were performed to optimize MMW exposure parameters (SAR).
- Human melanoma A375 cells were exposed to 35.2 GHz MMW for varying durations (15-90 min).
- Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay, apoptosis by Annexin-V/PI staining, and caspase-3 expression via Western blotting. Caspase-3 inhibitor AC-DEVD-fmk was used to explore its role.
Main Results:
- MMW exposure significantly inhibited A375 cell viability in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05).
- MMW exposure significantly increased apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05).
- Pretreatment with a caspase-3 inhibitor partially reversed the MMW-induced decrease in cell viability (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- 35.2 GHz millimeter wave irradiation effectively induces apoptosis in human melanoma A375 cells.
- The mechanism involves the activation of the caspase-3 protein pathway.
- MMW exposure demonstrates potential as a therapeutic modality for melanoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
02:12The Wave Nature of Light
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
01:10Wave Parameters
01:07Reflection of Waves
01:20Half wave rectifier