Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Increased protein synthesis by cells exposed to a 1,800-MHz radio-frequency mobile phone electromagnetic field, detected by proteome profiling med./bio.

By: Gerner C, Haudek V, Schandl U, Bayer E, Gundacker N, Hutter HP, Mosgoeller W

Published in: Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2010; 83 (6): 691-702

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To evaluate whether or not low intensity radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure associated with mobile phone use can affect human cells, the authors used a sensitive proteome analysis method to study changes in protein synthesis in cultured human cells.

Endpoint

molecular biosynthesis: protein expression (effects on proteome)

Exposure

- PW pulsed wave
- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz Exposure duration: 5 min on - 10 min off for 8 hr	SAR: 2 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	5 min on - 10 min off for 8 hr
Additional info	exposure with a signal mix of 66% GSM basic (talking mode) 34 % GSM-DTX (listening mode)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
Jurkat cells (human lymphoblastoid T cells), cultured fibroblasts, quiescent and inflammatory stimulated (by PHA and LPS) primary human white blood cells

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: protein expression (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, autoradiography (cell labeling via sulfur-35 methionine/cysteine)) and protein identification (mass spectrometry)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
proteins

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

8 h exposure to the electromagnetic field caused a significant increase in protein expression in Jurkat cells and human fibroblasts, and to a lesser extent in activated primary human white blood cells. Quiescent (metabolically inactive) white blood cells did not detectably respond to the radiofrequency exposure. The increased protein expression was fully reversible within two hours. Since the radiofrequency exposure induced a temperature increase of less than 0.15°C, the authors suggest that the observed cellular response is a so called athermal effect. Possible mechanisms and explanations are discussed.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Austrian Workers' Compensation Board (AUVA), Vienna, Austria

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