The rate of X-ray-induced DNA double-strand break repair in the embryonic mouse brain is unaffected by exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields

Abstract

Purpose: Following in utero exposure to low dose radiation (10–200 mGy), we recently observed a linear induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and activation of apoptosis in the embryonic neuronal stem/progenitor cell compartment. No significant induction of DSB or apoptosis was observed following exposure to magnetic fields (MF). In the present study, we exploited this in vivo system to examine whether exposure to MF before and after exposure to 100 mGy X-rays impacts upon DSB repair rates.

Materials and methods: 53BP1 foci were quantified following combined exposure to radiation and MF in the embryonic neuronal stem/progenitor cell compartment. Embryos were exposed in utero to 50 Hz MF at 300 μT for 3 h before and up to 9 h after exposure to 100 mGy X-rays. Controls included embryos exposed to MF or X-rays alone plus sham exposures.

Results: Exposure to MF before and after 100 mGy X-rays did not impact upon the rate of DSB repair in the embryonic neuronal stem cell compartment compared to repair rates following radiation exposure alone.

Conclusions: We conclude that in this sensitive system MF do not exert any significant level of DNA damage and do not impede the repair of X-ray induced damage.

Keywords::

• X-rays
• extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF)
• low dose radiation
• DNA double-strand break repair
• embryonic neuronal stem cells

Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the EMF Biological Research Trust, the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) RISK-IR project under grant agreement no 323267, National Institute for Health Research Centre for Medical Health Protection Research and the Medical Research Council .The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute for Health Research or Department of Health. We thank Prof. J. Metcalfe for intellectual and practical support.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.