Electromagnetic radiation: a new charming actor in hematopoiesis?

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Electromagnetic waves play indispensable roles in life. Many studies addressed the outcomes of Electromagnetic field (EMF) on various biological functions such as cell proliferation, gene expression, epigenetic alterations, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects, and its therapeutic applications in medicine. The impact of EMF on bone marrow (BM) is of high importance; however, EMF effects on BM hematopoiesis are not well understood.

Areas covered

Publications in English were searched in ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar with no restriction on publication date. A literature review has been conducted on the consequences of EMF exposure on BM non-hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and the application of these waves in regenerative medicine. Human blood cells such as lymphocytes, red blood cells and their precursors are altered qualitatively and quantitatively following electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, studying the impact of EMF on related signaling pathways in hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation could give a better insight into its efficacy on hematopoiesis and its potential therapeutic usage.

Expert opinion

In this review, authors evaluated the possible biologic consequences of EMF on the hematopoiesis process in addition to its probable application in the treatment of hematologic disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• Electromagnetic radiation
• electromagnetic Field
• hematopoiesis
• hematopoietic stem cells
• differentiation
• bone marrow
• gene expression regulation
• DNA damage
• therapeutics
• regenerative medicine

Article highlights

• EMF and different forms of electric fields have therapeutic efficacies that have been shown for years.

• EMF causes an increase in the release of Ca²⁺ into the cytoplasm which triggers the activation of different enzymes, signaling pathways, and growth factors.

• Some effects of EMF include differentiation of osteoblasts, increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ and activation of calmodulin, osteogenesis, MSC osteogenic differentiation, neurogenesis differentiation, HSC mobilization, and HSC expansion.

• EMF has the potential to play an important role in treating or controlling hematologic diseases, inherited blood disorders, or autoimmune complications.

• EMF exposure induces activation of Notch and Wnt pathway during osteogenic differentiation and increases the self-renewal capability of long-term HSC.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.