Effects of strong magnetic fields on cell growth and radiation response of human T-lymphocytes in culture.
Experiments were undertaken in order to verify whether or not a strong magnetic field would have any biological effects on the cell growth, viability and radiation response of mammalian cells. Magnetic field exposures were conducted using a superconducting magnet with freshly-isolated human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes maintained at their normal growing temperature of 37 degrees C. The static magnetic fields with intensities up to 6.3-tesla (T) exerted little influence on the cell growth and viability of actively-growing T-lymphocytes under normal cell-culture conditions. On the other hand, the T cells exposed to the magnetic fields (4 T-6.3 T) during PHA stimulation were inhibited in their cell growth when compared to controls. The effects of the magnetic fields with intensities up to 2 T on cell growth properties, however, were minimal in this system. Also, the radiosensitivity of T-lymphocytes previously exposed to the strong magnetic fields was more sensitive than that of control cells. These results suggest that exposure to a static magnetic field of 4 T or stronger might lead to physiological and growth abnormalities at the cellular level.
Norimura
T
T
Department of Radiation Biology and Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Imada
H
H
Kunugita
N
N
Yoshida
N
N
Nikaido
M
M
D016923:Cell Death / Q000528:radiation effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*