Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure of simian virus-40-transformed human cells to magnetic fields results in increased levels of T-antigen mRNA and protein med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1994; 15 (4): 329-336

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was performed in order to examine the effects of an extremely low frequency magnetic field on viral gene expression in human host cells.

Background/further details

As marker of the viral gene expression SV40 was selected as its T-antigen (viral tumor antigen) gene expression can be clearly measured and distinguished from the host cell gene expression. Additionally, the introduction of a SV40 origin of DNA replication defective mutant in human fibroblasts (so called HAL cells) is known to increase the lifespan up to immortality. Therefore the use of HAL cells represents a model of carcinogenesis.
The negative controls were mouse fibroblast cell lines containing a defective strain of polyoma virus.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min
Exposure 2: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The coils (13 cm long x 14 cm wide, 8 cm apart) were oriented vertically and generated a horizontal magnetic field. Six flasks were used for each experiment, three of which were exposed and the remaining three served as controls. Control cells were shielded in a µ-metal box and placed in the same incubator.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 10 µV/m average over time measured - -
magnetic flux density 8 µT peak value measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The solenoid was constructed on on an acrylic tube 10.25 inches long with an inner diameter of 6.75 inches and generated a horizontal magnetic field. The exposure and control flasks were handled the same way as in E1.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 38 µV/m maximum measured - -
magnetic flux density 8 µT peak value measured - -

Reference articles

  • Goodman R et al. (1992): Exposure of human cells to electromagnetic fields: effect of time and field strength on transcript levels

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure of SV40-transformed human fibroblasts to an electromagnetic field showed increased levels of virally derived mRNA and protein of the T-antigen.
These data provide evidence that a foreign DNA integrated into host cells can be affected by electromagnetic fields.

Study character:

Study funded by

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