Impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on CD4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Mol Cell Biochem. 1999 Nov;201(1-2):49-55. doi: 10.1023/a:1007004316433.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence suggesting that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) may influence several cell functions. Here the effects of ELF-EMF were studied on the expression of CD4+ cell surface receptors of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACScan). The expression of CD4+ in ELF-EMF exposed (24, 48 and 72 h) and not exposed PBMC were not statistically significant. In addition, a flow cytometric analysis was determined by using a fluorescent labeled antibody, at 24 and 72 h incubations. The amount of bound antibody was distributed with a slight difference in the ELF-EMF-exposed PBMC compared to the not exposed cells. Moreover, DNA CD4+ expression in PBMC strongly increased in exposed cells, resting and activated with Phytohaemaglutinin (PHA). When polymerase chain reaction was performed on CD4+ mRNA of PBMC an increase of CD4+ mRNA expression was found after the resting cells were exposed to ELF-EMF at 24 h compared to not exposed cells, while at 48 and 72 h no difference was found. In the cell cycle progression analysis, the PBMC exposed to ELF-EMF presented a significant increase of percentage expression of cell cycle progression in the S phase compared to not exposed cells; while in G1 and G2 phases, there were no differences. Our results provide new evidence that ELF-EMF can affect CD4+ expression in PBMC and describe an additional biological activity for ELF-EMF affecting CD4+ transcription and translation protein and the increase of the percentage expression of the cell cycle progression of the S phase.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • CD4 Antigens / genetics
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism*
  • CD4 Antigens / radiation effects*
  • Cell Cycle / radiation effects
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / radiation effects*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • RNA, Messenger