title: Superposition of an incoherent magnetic field inhibited EGF receptor clustering and phosphorylation induced by a 1.8 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of a temporally incoherent ('noise') magnetic field (MF) on radiofrequency radiation (RFR)-induced epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor clustering and phosporylation in cultured cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human amniotic epithelial (FL) cells were exposed for 15 min to either a 1.8 GHz RFR (modulated at 217 Hz), a 2 μT incoherent MF, or concurrently to the RFR and incoherent MF. Epidermal growth factor treatment severed as the positive control. Epidermal growth factor receptor clustering on cellular membrane surface was analyzed using confocal microscopy after indirect immunofluorescence staining, and phosphorylation of EGF receptors was measured by western blot technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure of FL cells to the 1.8 GHz RFR at SAR (specific absorption rate) of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 W/kg for 15 min induced EGF receptor clustering and enhanced phosphorylation on tyrosine-1173 residue, whereas exposure to RFR at SAR of 0.1 W/kg for 15 min did not significantly cause these effects. Exposure to a 2 μT incoherent MF for 15 min did not significantly affect clustering and phosphorylation of EGF receptor in FL cells. When superimposed, the incoherent MF completely inhibited EGF receptor clustering and phosphorylation induced by RFR at SAR of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 W/kg, but did not inhibit the effects induced at SAR of 4.0 W/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the data of the experiment, it is suggested that membrane receptors could be one of the main targets by which RFR interacts with cells. An incoherent MF could block the interaction to a certain extent.
authors.affiliation: Bioelectromagnetics Key Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. sunwj@zju.edu.cn
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiuying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Dongbo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Deqiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Huai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D060526:Magnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D066246:ErbB Receptors