Static magnetic fields generated by a 0.5 T MRI unit affects in vitro expression of activation markers and interleukin release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of the static magnetic field (SMF) generated by a 0.5 T superconducting MRI unit on in vitro activation marker expression and interleukin release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from healthy volunteers.


METHODS
PBMC samples were split into two groups: exposed and sham-exposed under isothermal conditions. PBMC were exposed for 2 h at 24 degrees C to the SMF of a 0.5 T superconducting MRI unit. Immediately after exposure, both samples were cultured for 24 h at 37 degrees C with or without mitogenic stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). PBMC were examined for expression of CD25, CD69 and CD71 by immunofluorescence analysis and supernatants were assayed to quantify IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-4 by ELISA.


RESULTS
The 0.5 T SMF produced, after 24 h of culture, a reduced expression of CD69 from PBMC in vitro, that was enhanced after PHA stimulation. An increased release of IFN-gamma and IL-4 was also found, which was reduced after PHA stimulation. The release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 was not modified.


CONCLUSIONS
The SMF generated by a 0.5 T superconducting MRI unit modified in vitro activation marker expression and interleukin release from human PBMC.
Salerno
S
S
Istituto di Radiologia P. Cignolini, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy. Salerno@ismeda.pa.cnr.it
Lo Casto
A
A
Caccamo
N
N
d'Anna
C
C
de Maria
M
M
Lagalla
R
R
Scola
L
L
Cardinale
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma