Low power microwave radiation inhibits the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells by upregulating P27Kip1 expression.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to examine the effects of low power microwave radiation (<10 mW/cm2) on the proliferation of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells (RLEC).


METHODS
Cultured RLEC were exposed to continuous microwave radiation at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and power densities of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mW/cm2 for 8 h. Cell morphologic changes were observed under a phase-contrast microscope. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay and cell cycle analysis was measured using flow cytometry. After exposure to 2.00 mW/cm2 microwave radiation for 4, 6, and 8 h, the expression of cell cycle-regulatory proteins, P21WAF1 and P27Kip1, was examined using western blot analysis. Finally, the levels of P21WAF1 and P27Kip1 mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
After 8 h of radiation treatment, cells treated with 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mW/cm2 microwave radiation exhibited decreased cell viability, increased cell condensation and an inhibition of DNA synthesis. RLEC showed significant G0/G1 arrest. No obvious changes could be detected in the 0.10 and 0.25 mW/cm2 microwave treatment groups. Protein expression of P27Kip1 was markedly increased after microwave radiation. However, the mRNA levels were unchanged. On the other hand, there were no detectable differences in P21WAF1 protein expression and mRNA levels between microwave treatment and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that low power microwave radiation higher than 0.50 mW/cm2 can inhibit lens epithelial cell proliferation, and increase the expression of P27Kip1. These effects may account for the decline of lens epithelial proliferation after exposure to microwave radiation.
Eye Center, Affiliated Second Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University and Ophthalmology Institute, Hangzhou, China. xlren@zjuem.zju.edu.cn
Ke
K
Yao
Kai Jun
KJ
Wang
Zhao Hui
ZH
Sun
Jian
J
Tan
Wen
W
Xu
Li Jun
LJ
Zhu
De Qiang
DQ
Lu
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D016213:Cyclins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27