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Abstract
Purpose: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) could elicit biological effects including carcinogenesis. However, the detailed mechanisms by which these ELF-EMFs interact with biological system are currently unclear. Previously, we found that a 50-Hz magnetic field (MF) exposure could induce epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) clustering and phosphorylation on cell membranes. In the present experiment, the possible roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MF-induced EGFR clustering were investigated.
Materials and methods: Human amnion epithelial (FL) cells were exposed to a 50-Hz MF with or without N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). EGFR clustering on cellular membrane surface was analyzed using confocal microscopy after indirect immunofluorescence staining. The intracellular ROS level and acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) activity were detected using an ROS assay kit and an Amplex® Red Sphingomyelinase Assay Kit, respectively.
Results: Results showed that exposure of FL cells to a 50-Hz MF at 0.4 mT for 15 min significantly enhanced the ROS level, induced EGFR clustering and increased ASMase activity. However, pretreatment with NAC or PDTC, the scavenger of ROS, not only counteracted the effects of a 50-Hz MF on ROS level and AMS activity, but also inhibited the EGFR clustering induced by MF exposure.
Conclusions: The present and previous data suggest that ROS mediates the MF-induced EGFR clustering via ASMase activation.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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Notes on contributors
Liyuan Sun
Liyuan Sun, MSc, received her MSc degree at Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She works at present in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China.
Liangjing Chen
Liangjing Chen is a doctoral candidate at Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China.
Lina Bai
Lina Bai, Bachelor, received her Bachelor degree at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. She works at present in Ningbo CDC, China.
Yongpeng Xia
Yongpeng Xia is a Master Degree Candidate at Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China.
Xiaobo Yang
Xiaobo Yang is a Master Degree Candidate at Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China.
Wei Jiang
Wei Jiang, PhD, received her doctoral degree at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is an instructor at Zhejiang University. Her main research interests: proteomic method to identify biomarkers for chemical exposure and the mechanism for neurotoxicity from toxin exposure. She has 16 peer reviewed publications in environmental health area.
Wenjun Sun
Wenjun Sun, PhD, is a professor and head of Institute of Environmental Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China. His main research interest is focused on the mechanisms of biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field and radio frequency radiation. He has published two books and over 50 original papers.