Specific low-frequency electromagnetic fields induce expression of active KDM6B associated with functional changes in...

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• U937 cells serve as an in vitro model for human monocyte/macrophage differentiation.
• Low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are being explored for their biological effects.
• Histone modifications, such as H3K27me3, play critical roles in regulating gene expression and cell differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of specific low-frequency EMF sequences on U937 cell differentiation.
• To determine the effects of EMF exposure on epigenetic modifications, specifically histone demethylase KDM6B and H3K27me3.
• To elucidate the role of KDM6B in EMF-induced U937 cell differentiation and cytokine secretion.

Main Methods:

• U937 cells were exposed to two distinct EMF sequences (XR-BC31 and XR-BC31/F) using the SynthéXer system.
• Exposure duration was 77 minutes per sequence, administered once daily for 4 days.
• Key molecular markers, including KDM6B expression, H3K27me3 levels, and interleukin (IL) secretion, were analyzed post-exposure.

Main Results:

• The XR-BC31 EMF sequence significantly increased KDM6B expression and reduced global H3K27 tri-methylation in U937 cells.
• Exposure to XR-BC31 induced differentiation towards a macrophage-like phenotype.
• This differentiation was associated with a KDM6B-dependent increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-4 expression and secretion.
• The XR-BC31/F sequence did not yield similar results, highlighting sequence-specific effects.

Conclusions:

• Specific low-frequency EMF sequences can induce epigenetic reprogramming by modulating H3K27me3 levels.
• The XR-BC31 EMF sequence promotes U937 cell differentiation into macrophages via KDM6B.
• These findings suggest a novel mechanism for EMFs influencing cell fate and offer potential for therapeutic applications in modulating inflammation.