title: Neural cell apoptosis induced by microwave exposure through mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 pathway.
abstract: To determine whether microwave (MW) radiation induces neural cell apoptosis, differentiated PC12 cells and Wistar rats were exposed to 2.856 GHz for 5 min and 15 min, respectively, at an average power density of 30  mW/cm². JC-1 and TUNEL staining detected significant apoptotic events, such as the loss of mitochondria membrane potential and DNA fragmentation, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and Hoechst staining were used to observe chromatin ultrastructure and apoptotic body formation. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to quantify the level of apoptosis. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP were examined by immunoblotting or immunocytochemistry. Caspase-3 activity was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation in neural cells 6h after microwave exposure. Moreover, the mitochondria membrane potential decreased, DNA fragmentation increased, leading to an increase in the apoptotic cell percentage. Furthermore, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, expression of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP all increased. In conclusion, microwave radiation induced neural cell apoptosis via the classical mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 pathway. This study may provide the experimental basis for further investigation of the mechanism of the neurological effects induced by microwave radiation.
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China; ; 2. High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Material Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science, 350, Shushanhu Road, Shushan District, Hefei 230031, China;
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Dewen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Ruiyun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Shuiming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Yabing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Xinping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Shaoxia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China;
authors.forename: Lifeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 3. Department of Radiation Protection and Health Physics, Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008872:Microwaves; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Apoptosis; Caspase-3; Microwave; Mitochondria; PC12 cells.