Reversible effect of MR and ELF magnetic fields (0.5 T and 0.5 mT) on human lymphocyte activation patterns.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of magnetic fields (MF) of different intensity generated by a magnetic resonance (MR) unit (0.5 Tesla) and a double cylindrical coil (0.5 m Tesla) on human CD4(+) T cell lines.


METHODS
CD4(+) T cells were exposed for two hours under isothermal conditions (37 +/- 0.5 degrees C) to the above mentioned MF; a control group was provided for each exposed sample. After exposure, the samples were analysed in the laboratory for the following endpoints: release of cytokines, expression of surface markers, cell proliferation and levels of cytosolic free-calcium.


RESULTS
Exposure to MF for 2 h and subsequent in vitro stimulation in the presence of the appropriate mitogen, caused a decrease of interferon-gamma production, a decrease of cell proliferation, a decrease of expression of CD25 and a decrease of cytosolic free calcium concentration in exposed CD4(+) T cell lines. Data obtained, were statistically significant when evaluated after 24 h of in vitro culture, but were not significant, for both types of MF, when the experimental groups were analysed after prolonged in vitro culture.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that static magnetic fields (SMF) can give rise to transient biological effects on T lymphocytes and the present system is a sensitive model for understanding the effects of MF on the immune system.
Salerno
Sergio
S
Dipartimento Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Legale -- Sez. Radiologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
La Mendola
Carmela
C
Lo Casto
Antonio
A
Mamone
Giuseppe
G
Caccamo
Nadia
N
Cardinale
Adelfio E
AE
Salerno
Alfredo
A
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004560:Electricity; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage
D016207:Cytokines