title: Prenatal exposure to radiofrequencies: effects of WiFi signals on thymocyte development and peripheral T cell compartment in an animal model.
abstract: Wireless local area networks are an increasing alternative to wired data networks in workplaces, homes, and public areas. Concerns about possible health effects of this type of signal, especially when exposure occurs early in life, have been raised. We examined the effects of prenatal (in utero) exposure to wireless fidelity (WiFi) signal-associated electromagnetic fields (2450 MHz center-frequency band) on T cell development and function. Pregnant mice were exposed whole body to a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg, 2 h per day, starting 5 days after mating and ending 1 day before the expected delivery. Sham-exposed and cage control groups were used as controls. No effects on cell count, phenotype, and proliferation of thymocytes were observed. Also, spleen cell count, CD4/CD8 cell frequencies, T cell proliferation, and cytokine production were not affected by the exposure. These findings were consistently observed in the male and female offspring at early (5 weeks of age) and late (26 weeks of age) time points. Nevertheless, the expected differences associated with aging and/or gender were confirmed. In conclusion, our results do not support the hypothesis that the exposure to WiFi signals during prenatal life results in detrimental effects on the immune T cell compartment.
authors.affiliation: ENEA (Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Unit of Radiation Biology and Human Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laudisi
authors.forename: Manolo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sambucci
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nasta
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lodato
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altavista
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; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D060168:Thymocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D059015:Wireless Technology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines