Radiofrequency regulates the BET-mediated pathways in radial glia differentiation in human cortical development

PAPER manual Cell Reports 2025 In vitro study Effect: harm Evidence: Insufficient

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116238 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Neuroscience Institution: Not specified Tags: radiofrequency, neurodevelopment, cortical organoids, BET proteins, stem cells, radial glia, electromagnetic fields DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116238 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview The human brain is an intricate organ whose development is regulated by complex genetic and increasingly recognized non-genetic factors. Environmental exposures, such as radiofrequency (RF) radiation from sources like microwaves and cell phones, are emerging areas of concern for brain health and development. Findings - RF exposure (800–2,400 MHz) modulates the differentiation pathways of human cortical organoids derived from embryonic stem cells. - When exposed to RF, human and non-human primate radial glia progenitors experience maintained stem cell identity and a delay in differentiation, suggesting a disruption in typical neural maturation. - RF treatment also triggers the expression of human endogenous retroviruses in neurons differentiated under its exposure. - The negative neurodevelopmental impact of RF is mechanistically mediated through dysregulation of BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) proteins. - Importantly, inhibition of BET proteins is shown to rescue the developmental defects induced by RF, providing a possible intervention route. - RF exposure induced expression of genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and retroelements in cortical organoids. Conclusion This study provides evidence that RF exposure actively modulates early brain development by altering neural stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The work highlights a molecular mechanism involving BET proteins, directly linking electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to changes in neurodevelopmental pathways and potential autism susceptibility. Takeaway: Environmental RF exposure can disrupt crucial neurodevelopmental processes, underscoring the importance of considering EMF safety and regulatory guidelines, particularly related to children's brain development.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Human cortical organoids derived from embryonic stem cells; radial glia progenitors (human and non-human primate)

Sample size

—

Exposure

Evidence strength

Insufficient

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

RF exposure (800–2,400 MHz) modulated differentiation pathways in human cortical organoids, with radial glia progenitors maintaining stem cell identity and showing delayed differentiation under RF. RF exposure was associated with induction of human endogenous retrovirus expression and increased expression of genes associated with ASD and retroelements; mechanistically, effects were linked to dysregulation of BET proteins, and BET inhibition rescued RF-induced developmental defects.

Outcomes measured

Radial glia differentiation and maintenance of stem cell identity
Timing of neural differentiation/maturation
Expression of human endogenous retroviruses in neurons
BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) protein pathway regulation/dysregulation
Rescue of RF-induced developmental defects via BET inhibition
Gene expression changes including genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and retroelements

Suggested hubs

who-icnirp (0.35)
Study concerns RF exposure and potential implications for EMF safety/regulatory guidelines.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Human cortical organoids derived from embryonic stem cells; radial glia progenitors (human and non-human primate)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Radial glia differentiation and maintenance of stem cell identity",
        "Timing of neural differentiation/maturation",
        "Expression of human endogenous retroviruses in neurons",
        "BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) protein pathway regulation/dysregulation",
        "Rescue of RF-induced developmental defects via BET inhibition",
        "Gene expression changes including genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and retroelements"
    ],
    "main_findings": "RF exposure (800–2,400 MHz) modulated differentiation pathways in human cortical organoids, with radial glia progenitors maintaining stem cell identity and showing delayed differentiation under RF. RF exposure was associated with induction of human endogenous retrovirus expression and increased expression of genes associated with ASD and retroelements; mechanistically, effects were linked to dysregulation of BET proteins, and BET inhibition rescued RF-induced developmental defects.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "RF",
        "800–2,400 MHz",
        "neurodevelopment",
        "cortical organoids",
        "embryonic stem cells",
        "radial glia",
        "BET proteins",
        "bromodomain and extraterminal",
        "human endogenous retroviruses",
        "ASD genes",
        "electromagnetic fields"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.34999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study concerns RF exposure and potential implications for EMF safety/regulatory guidelines."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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