A 1.8-GHz radiofrequency radiation induces EGF receptor clustering and phosphorylation in cultured human amniotic (FL) cells.
OBJECTIVE
Many studies have shown that exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) could activate cellular signal transduction pathways. In the present research, we investigated the effects of exposure to a 1.8-GHz RFR at different intensities on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor clustering and phosphorylation in human amniotic (FL) cells.


METHODS
Receptor clustering on cellular membrane surface was analyzed using immunofluorescence assessed by confocal microscopy, and phosphorylation of EGF receptors was measured by western blot technology. EGF treatment served as a positive control.


RESULTS
The results showed that, compared with sham exposure, exposure to RFR at specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 W/kg for 15 min significantly induced EGF receptor clustering and enhanced phosphorylation on the tyrosine-1173 residue in FL cells, whereas exposure to a SAR 0.1 W/kg radiation for 15 min did not cause a significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this experiment, we conclude that membrane receptors could be one of the main targets that RFR interacts with cells, and the dose-rate threshold, in the case of EGF receptors, is between SAR of 0.1 and 0.5 W/kg. The results indicate a sigmoid dependence of RFR effects on intensity.
Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China. sunwj@zju.edu.cn
Wenjun
W
Sun
Xiuying
X
Shen
Dongbo
D
Lu
Yiti
Y
Fu
Deqiang
D
Lu
Huai
H
Chiang
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D040421:Cell Phone; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000528:radiation effects; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*
D066246:ErbB Receptors