Iranian Journal of Immunology

Exposure of 1800 MHz Radiofrequency with SAR 1,6 W/kg Caused a Significant Reduction in CD4+ T Cells and Release of Cytokines In-Vitro

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maimun Zulhaidah Arthamin 1
Anis Sulalah 2
Resvina - 2
Chomsin Sulistya Widodo 2
Agustina Tri Endharti 1
Edi Widjajanto 1
Tedy Juliandhy 3

1 Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Indonesia

2 Postgraduate Program, Department of Physics, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Indonesia

3 Department of Electrical Engineering, Hang Tuah University, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2020.84760.1671
Abstract
Background: Although there have been many studies investigating the effects of electromagnetic fields on humans cells and tissues, the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on the cells of the immune system are still controversial. Objective: To investigate the effects of 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by measuring T helper cells count and the cytokine profile under different conditions of durations and distances. Methods: The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy human subjects were exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMF, with durations of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and distances of 5 and 25 cm. The effects of RFEMF exposure on the number of CD4+ T cells, and the expression of IL-2,
IL-10, and IL-17a after 48 hours of culture were evaluated using flow cytometry. Results: Our findings indicated that closer distance and longer exposure inducedlower number of CD4+ T cells. Similarly the percentagesof IL-2, IL-10 and IL-17a expressing CD4+ T cells weredecreased significantly. The number of IL-2 expressing CD4+T cells wasincreased significantly as the duration of exposure was increased, but the number was decreased after 60 minutes exposure when compared with control group with no exposure. Conclusions: Exposure to RF-EMF for 60 minutes at 5 cm distance causes a significant reduction in the number of CD4+ T cells, IL-2, IL-10 and IL-17a expressing T cells.

Keywords

1800 MHz
RF-EMF
CD4+ T cells
IL-2
IL-10
IL-17a
Iranian Journal of Immunology
Volume 17, Issue 2
Spring 2020
Pages 154-166

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