Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) induced alterations in gene expression and cytokine secretion

Aleksandra Cios1, Martyna Ciepielak2, Krystyna Lieto3

  • 1Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland (Department of Microwave Safety).

Medycyna Pracy
|May 8, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) influenced gene expression in kidney cancer cells. Some genes showed increased or decreased expression, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) levels decreased, but caution is advised for clinical implications.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical research
  • Cell biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a significant health concern.
  • Understanding environmental factors influencing ccRCC is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on ccRCC.
  • To assess ELF-EMF effects on gene expression and cytokine/chemokine secretion in ccRCC cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized three ccRCC cell lines (786-O, 769-P, CAKI-1) and a healthy HEK293 cell line.
  • Exposed cells to ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 4.5 mT) for 30 minutes daily over 5 days.
  • Analyzed expression of ADAM28, NCAM1, VEGFC genes and 30 cytokines/chemokines.

Main Results:

  • ADAM28 expression increased in primary tumor cell lines post-ELF-EMF exposure.
  • VEGFC expression significantly decreased in 769-P cells; NCAM1 expression upregulated in HEK293, 769-P, and 786-O cells.
  • Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) levels significantly decreased in HEK293 and CAKI-1 cell lines after ELF-EMF exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest ELF-EMF can alter gene expression and cytokine profiles in ccRCC models.
  • Caution is needed when extrapolating these results to clinical ccRCC progression.
  • Standardization of experimental models is essential for human-context EMF effect assessments.