title: Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on B-cell peripheral differentiation and antibody production.
abstract: We examined the effects of in vivo exposure to a GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF field on B-cell peripheral differentiation and antibody production in mice. Our results show that exposure to a whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg, 2 h/day for 4 consecutive weeks does not affect the frequencies of differentiating transitional 1 (T1) and T2 B cells or those of mature follicular B and marginal zone B cells in the spleen. IgM and IgG serum levels are also not significantly different among exposed, sham-exposed and control mice. B cells from these mice, challenged in vitro with LPS, produce comparable amounts of IgM and IgG. Moreover, exposure of immunized mice to RF fields does not change the antigen-specific antibody serum level. Interestingly, not only the production of antigen-specific IgM but also that of IgG (which requires T-B-cell interaction) is not affected by RF-field exposure. This indicates that the exposure does not alter an ongoing in vivo antigen-specific immune response. In conclusion, our results do not indicate any effects of GSM-modulated RF radiation on the B-cell peripheral compartment and antibody production and thus provide no support for health-threatening effects.
authors.affiliation: ENEA (Italian Agency for New Technologies, Environment and Energy), Section of Toxicology and Biomedicine, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nasta
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Giorgio Alfonso
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lovisolo
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects; D040421:Cell Phone; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008872:Microwaves; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation