title: Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus in BCBL-1 cells.
abstract: Association between extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and human cancers is controversial, and few studies have been conducted on their influence on oncogenic viruses. We studied the effects of 1 mT, 50 Hz sine waves, applied for 24-72 h, on Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) in BCBL-1, a latently infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell line. ELF-EMF exposure did not affect the growth and viability of BCBL-1 cells, either stimulated or not with TPA. The total amount of KSHV DNA detected in ELF-EMF exposed cultures not stimulated with TPA did not differ from that of the unexposed controls (P = ns). However, in the presence of TPA stimulation, total KSHV DNA content was found higher in ELF-EMF exposed than in control BCBL-1 cultures (P = .024) at 72 h exposure, but not earlier. Viral DNA increase significantly correlated with increased mean fluorescence intensity/cell for the lytic antigen gp K8.1A/B (P < .01), but not with percentage of gp K8.1A/B-positive cells or of cells containing virions. Viral progeny produced under ELF-EMF exposure consisted mainly of defective viral particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. pica@uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pica
authors.forename: Annalucia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serafino
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Divizia
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donia
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fraschetti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sinibaldi-Salimei
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Giganti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpi
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004560:Electricity; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral