A review on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity

ABSTRACT

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is produced extensively in modern technologies. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that ELF-EMF has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the immune system response. This review was conducted on effects of ELF-EMF on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity. Mechanisms of ELF-EMF, which may modulate immune cell responses, were also studied. Physical and biological parameters of ELF-EMF can interact with each other to create beneficial or harmful effect on the immune cell responses by interfering with the inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines. According to the studies, it is supposed that short-term (2-24 h/d up to a week) exposure of ELF-EMF with strong density may increase innate immune response due to an increase of innate immunity cytokines. Furthermore, long-term (2-24 h/d up to 8 years) exposure to low-density ELF-EMF may cause a decrease in adaptive immune response, especially in T_h1 subset.

KEYWORDS:

• Immune system
• cytokine
• extremely low frequency electromagnetic field

Acknowledgments

This review is extracted from the Ph.D. thesis of H. Mahaki. The authors are very thankful to the Deputy of Research, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Deputy of Research, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences [grant number 9406243405].