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Induction of apoptosis in human leukemic cells by magnetic fields
T Hisamitsu1, K Narita, T Kasahara
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan. tadashi@med.showa-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
When human myelogenous leukemic cell lines, HL-60 and ML-1, were exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs), nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation (a biochemical marker of apoptosis) was induced as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. However, EMFs could not induce detectable DNA fragmentation in either human peripheral blood leukocytes or polymorphonuclear cells. The minimum exposure period required for the onset of DNA fragmentation in leukemic cells was 1.0 h. Although adverse effects of EMFs on human health have been reported, the apoptosis-inducing action of EMFs on leukemic cells may suggest a possible medical application.
Insights
Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs) induced apoptosis, a cell death marker, in human leukemic cell lines. This finding suggests potential therapeutic applications for EMFs in treating leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are ubiquitous, and their biological effects are under investigation.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical process in development and disease, including cancer.
- Previous research has explored potential adverse health effects of EMF exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on DNA fragmentation in human leukemic cell lines.
- To determine if EMFs induce apoptosis in specific human blood cells.
Main Methods:
- Human myelogenous leukemic cell lines (HL-60 and ML-1) and primary human blood cells (leukocytes and polymorphonuclear cells) were exposed to 50 Hz EMFs.
- Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to assess nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation, a marker of apoptosis.
Main Results:
- EMFs induced nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation in HL-60 and ML-1 leukemic cells.
- No detectable DNA fragmentation was observed in human peripheral blood leukocytes or polymorphonuclear cells.
- A minimum exposure of 1.0 hour was required to induce DNA fragmentation in leukemic cells.
Conclusions:
- 50 Hz EMFs can induce apoptosis in human myelogenous leukemic cell lines.
- EMFs do not appear to induce apoptosis in normal human blood cells.
- The apoptosis-inducing effect of EMFs on leukemic cells warrants further investigation for potential medical applications in cancer therapy.