Suppression of T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity following exposure to 60-Hz sinusoidal electric fields.
A significant 25% inhibition (P less than .005) of allogeneic cytotoxicity of the target cell MPC-11 by the murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte line CTLL-1 was observed when the 4-h cytotoxicity assay was conducted immediately following a 48-h pre-exposure of the effector lymphocytes to a 10-mV/cm (rms) 60-Hz sinusoidal electric field. At 1.0 mV/cm a significant 19% inhibition (P less than .0005) was seen. At 0.1 mV/cm a nonsignificant 7% inhibition of cytotoxicity was noted. When the 4-h cytotoxicity assay was conducted in the presence of the field using previously unexposed effector lymphocytes, cytotoxicity was not significantly reduced. Cell proliferation in the presence of interleukin-2 was unaffected by the field. These data suggest a dose response and threshold (between 0.1 and 1.0 mV/cm) for inhibition of cytotoxicity in clonal T-lymphocytes by exposure to a 60-Hz sinusoidal electric field. These results suggest mechanisms by which 60-Hz electric fields could affect the function of cells of the immune system.
Lyle
D B
DB
Research Service, Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital, Loma Linda, CA 92357.
Ayotte
R D
RD
Sheppard
A R
AR
Adey
W R
WR
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*
D007376:Interleukin-2