EMF radiation at 2450 MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus.

EMF radiation at 2450 MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus.

Misa-Agustiño MJ, Leiro-Vidal JM, Gomez-Amoza JL, Jorge-Mora MT, Jorge-Barreiro FJ, Salas-Sánchez AA, Ares-Pena FJ, López-Martín E. EMF radiation at 2450 MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus. Life Sci. 2015 Apr 15;127:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.027. Epub 2015 Feb 28.

Abstract

AIMS: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can act as inducers or mediators of stress response through the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that modulate immune response and thymus functions. In this study, we analyzed cellular stress levels in rat thymus after exposure of the rats to a 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) using an experimental diathermic model in a Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber.

MAIN METHODS: In this experiment, we used H&E staining, the ELISA test and immunohistochemistry to examine Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression in the thymus and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) of 64 female Sprague–Dawley rats exposed individually to 2.45 GHz (at 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 12.0 W power). The 1 g averaged peak and mean SAR values in the thymus and whole body of each rat to ensure that sub-thermal levels of radiation were being reached.

KEY FINDINGS: The thymus tissue presented several morphological changes, including increased distribution of blood vessels along with the appearance of red blood cells and hemorrhagic reticuloepithelial cells. Levels of Hsp90 decreased in the thymus when animals were exposed to the highest power level (12 W), but only one group did not show recovery after 24 h. Hsp70 presented no significant modifications in any of the groups. The glucocorticoid receptors presented greater immunomarking on the thymic cortex in exposed animals.

SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that non-ionizing sub-thermal radiation causes changes in the endothelial permeability and vascularization of the thymus, and is a tissue-modulating agent for Hsp90 and GR.

http://1.usa.gov/1B7l0L1

Excerpts

A total of 64 female Sprague–Dawley rats were distributed equally in the following groups:

Group A (n = 32): The rats were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 8), each of which was exposed to different levels of microwave radiation: 0 (control group), 1.5, 3.0 and 12 W for 30 min. The rats were kept alive for 90 min after radiation, then sacrificed and perfused with fixative.

Group B (n = 32): The rats were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 8), each of which was exposed to different levels of microwave radiation: 0 (control group), 1.5, 3.0 and 12 W, for 30 min. The rats were kept alive for 24 h after radiation, then sacrificed and perfused with fixative (see Fig. 1).

Conclusion

The combined study of HSP levels and morphological changes in the thymus tissue from radiation at 2.45 GHz with sub-thermal SAR levels leads us to conclude that:

1) Non-ionizing radiation at sub-thermal levels constitutes a quantitative and qualitative modulating agent for Hsp90, but not for Hsp70, in the thymus tissue.

2) There is a relationship between radiation and increased endothelial permeability and vascularization of the thymus.

3) The increase of glucocorticoid receptors in the cortical thymocytes indicates that radiation constitutes a stimulus for immune response.

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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

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