Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on B-cell peripheral differentiation and antibody production med./bio.

By: Nasta F, Prisco MG, Pinto R, Lovisolo GA, Marino C, Pioli C

Published in: Radiat Res 2006; 165 (6): 664-670

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of in vivo exposure to a GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency field on B cell peripheral differentiation and antibody production in mice.

Endpoint

effects on the immune system: B cell differentiation and antibody production

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 2 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks	SAR: 2 W/kg mean (whole body)

General information

A detailed description of the exposure system and the dosimetry assessment has been published in [Ardoino et al., 2005].

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 2 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	GSM basic modulation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone TEM cell
Chamber	Two non-standard TEM cells (12 x 12 x 120 cm) were designed according to electromagnetic restraints and optimization of the uniform field volume [Van Hese et al., 1992]. They had a grid wall for air circulation. A water cooling system with two external metal jackets filled with circulating water fed from a thermostatic bath was placed in contact with the bottom walls of the TEM cell.
Setup	Mice restrained in ventilated transparent cylindrical Perspex jigs were positioned with their caudal axis parallel to the direction of the field propagation. The jigs were placed under and over the septum and kept at the same distance by polystyrene supports.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Eight mice at a time were placed in a TEM cell with daily clockwise rotation of their location to increase the homogeneity of exposure. The people preparing the biological samples and performing the biological tests did not know which TEM cell was activated. Control mice were maintained in the animal facility with minimal handling.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	mean	measured and calculated	whole body	-

Measurement and calculation details

The signal was continuously controlled by a bidirectional power sensor connected to a computer storing direct and reflected powers (and internal air temperature measurements). The EMF distribution was assessed using the numerical code HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator) and a calibrated E-field probe [Pioli et al., 2000]. The whole-body average SAR efficiency for eight mice in each TEM cell was determined numerically using two FDTD codes. Mice were assumed to be cylindrical (2.3 cm in diameter and 6 cm long) and homogeneous (modelling a 24-g mouse). The SAR values obtained were validated by means of a power balance method in mouse phantoms. Power measurements were also performed on live mice before, during and at the end of the experiments. The average efficiency value obtained for mice weighing 20-26 g was 0.38 W/kg/Win (SD 0.09) with a total uncertainty of about 20% (level of confidence 95%).

Reference articles

Ardoino L et al. (2005): A radio-frequency system for in vivo pilot experiments aimed at the studies on biological effects of electromagnetic fields
Pioli C et al. (2000): Inhibition of IgG1 and IgE production by stimulation of the B cell CTLA-4 receptor
van Hese J et al. (1992): Simulation of the effect of inhomogeneities in TEM transmission cells using the FDTD method

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/C57BL/6
partial body: caudal exposure

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: antibody production (IgM, IgG; ELISA)
effects on the immune system: B cell differentiation (B cell subpopulations: T (transitional)1, T2, and follicular mature B cells; flow cytometry) and antibody production (see "molecular biosynthesis")

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
intact cell/cell culture
serum and culture supernatants

Investigated organ system:

immune system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under the experimental conditions used, the data showed no effect of in vivo exposure to GSM modulated radiofrequency fields on B cell peripheral differentiation or on antibody production in response to both polyclonal activators and antigens. This indicates that it is unlikely that radiofrequency field exposure alters immune response to infections or vaccination.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Centro Interuniversitario Interazione tra Campi Elettromagnetici e Biosistemi (ICEmB, Inter-University Research Center for Interaction between Electro-Magnetic Fields and Biological Systems), Italy
Ente per Le Nuove tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente (ENEA; Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment), Italy
Ministero dell' Università e della Ricerca (MIUR (formerly MURST (Ministero dell' Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica); Ministry of University and Research), Italy
MIUR/CNR-ENEA (Salvaguardia dell'uomo e dell'ambiente dalle emissioni elettromagnetiche), Italy
National Research Council (CNR; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche); Italy

Rosado MM et al. (2014): Effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the hematopoietic potential of mouse bone marrow cells
Ait-Aissa S et al. (2012): In utero and early-life exposure of rats to a Wi-Fi signal: Screening of immune markers in sera and gestational outcome
Laudisi F et al. (2012): Prenatal exposure to radiofrequencies: Effects of WiFi signals on thymocyte development and peripheral T cell compartment in an animal model
Jin YB et al. (2012): Effects of simultaneous combined exposure to CDMA and WCDMA electromagnetic field on immune functions in rats
Sambucci M et al. (2011): Early life exposure to 2.45GHz WiFi-like signals: Effects on development and maturation of the immune system
Sambucci M et al. (2010): Prenatal Exposure to Non-ionizing Radiation: Effects of WiFi Signals on Pregnancy Outcome, Peripheral B-Cell Compartment and Antibody Production
Prisco MG et al. (2008): Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells
Stankiewicz W et al. (2006): Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro
Gatta L et al. (2003): Effects of in vivo exposure to GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiation on mouse peripheral lymphocytes
Veyret B et al. (1991): Antibody responses of mice exposed to low-power microwaves under combined, pulse-and-amplitude modulation