Surface markers and functions of human dendritic cells exposed to mobile phone 1800 MHz electromagnetic fields

Zhou ZD, Zeng QL, Zheng Y, Zhang JB, Chen HY, Lu DQ, Shao CS, Xia DJ

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 37(1):29-33, 2008

[Article in Chinese]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of mobile phone 1800 MHz electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the surface markers and the functions of human dendritic cells (DC).

METHODS: Human DCs were exposed to intermittent 5 min on/10 min off EMF with specific absorption rates (SAR) 4 W/kg for 0 h, 1 h, 12 h or 24 h, respectively. FACS analysis was used to detect the positive percentage of DC surface markers including HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules such as CD80, CD86, CD40 and CD11c. CCK-8 kit was adopted to examine the function of allo-mixed lymphocyte reaction (allo-MLR) of DC, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to identify the levels of IL-12p70 and TNF-alpha secreted by DC. RESULT: Compared with the sham radiation group, after exposure to the electromagnetic fields for 1 h, 12 h, or 24 h, HLA-DR, CD80,CD86 and CD40 were all declined except CD11c.

The ability of DC allo-MLR in each exposure group was decreased significantly (P<0.05), especially in the 24 h exposure group. However, the secreted levels of IL-12p70 and TNF-alphaof DC in each exposure group remained no changed.

Conclusion: The study showed that EMF exposure could down-regulate the surface molecules and stimulation ability of human DC.