Impact of in vitro exposure to 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz fields on oxidative stress and DNA repair in skin cells

Abstract

Category: Cellular Biology, Electromagnetic Field Safety Tags: 5G, electromagnetic fields, skin cells, oxidative stress, DNA repair, RF-EMF, SAR DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-15090-w URL: nature.com Overview The rapid rollout of fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks has generated concerns regarding possible biological effects, particularly on human skin, due to the higher carrier frequencies used, which have shallower penetration into tissue. Whether 5G-modulated radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at 3.5 GHz impact oxidative stress and DNA repair in skin cells remains controversial. Methods Researchers used genetically encoded Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET)-based biosensors located in the cytoplasm and mitochondria to assess if exposure of human fibroblasts to 5G RF-EMF at specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0.08 and 4 W/kg for 24 hours could alter baseline reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels or enhance the effects of known ROS inducers (H2O2, Kp372-1, and Antimycin A). The study also examined whether pre-exposure to 5G RF-EMF could induce an adaptive response upon subsequent challenge with arsenic trioxide (As2O3). Additionally, the investigators observed the impact of RF-EMF combined with ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure on the formation and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesions in HaCaT keratinocytes. Findings - 5G RF-EMF exposure—alone or with chemical ROS inducers—did not significantly affect oxidative stress markers in either cellular compartment tested. - RF-EMF exposure also did not induce an adaptive response to additional oxidative challenge. - There was no alteration in the kinetics or efficiency of CPD repair by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Conclusion Within the experimental conditions (acute in vitro exposure up to 24-48h), exposure to 5G RF-EMF at 3.5 GHz and up to 4 W/kg does not induce oxidative stress or impair DNA repair efficiency in human skin cells. These results align with current assessments by international experts and contribute valuable data for evidence-based risk assessments of RF-EMF exposure related to 5G networks. However, the study emphasizes that results from acute exposures cannot be directly generalized to chronic or long-term real-life exposures, highlighting the need for further research in long-term and more physiologically relevant models. Important Note: There is a known connection between electromagnetic field exposure and potential health risks, particularly regarding oxidative stress and DNA damage. Continuous assessment and further studies are advised to monitor the long-term effects of EMF exposure, especially with evolving wireless technologies like 5G.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In human fibroblasts exposed to 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz RF-EMF at SAR 0.08 or 4 W/kg for 24 h, RF-EMF exposure alone or combined with chemical ROS inducers did not significantly change oxidative stress markers in cytoplasm or mitochondria, and did not induce an adaptive response to a subsequent oxidative challenge. In HaCaT keratinocytes, combined RF-EMF and UV-B exposure did not alter CPD repair kinetics or efficiency via NER under the reported acute in vitro conditions.

Outcomes measured

• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) / oxidative stress (cytoplasm and mitochondria via BRET biosensors)
• Adaptive response to oxidative challenge (arsenic trioxide, As2O3) after RF-EMF pre-exposure
• Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesion formation and repair kinetics/efficiency (nucleotide excision repair, NER) with UV-B in HaCaT keratinocytes

Limitations

• Acute in vitro exposure conditions (up to 24–48 h) may not generalize to chronic/long-term real-life exposures
• Findings limited to the specific cell types and endpoints tested (human fibroblasts; HaCaT keratinocytes; ROS/oxidative stress and CPD repair)
• Only the stated SAR levels (0.08 and 4 W/kg) and frequency (3.5 GHz) were evaluated

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.6)
  Study evaluates biological effects of 5G-modulated RF-EMF at 3.5 GHz relevant to 5G exposure discussions.

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        "band": "RF",
        "source": "5G-modulated RF-EMF",
        "frequency_mhz": 3500,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": "24 hours (oxidative stress experiments); acute in vitro exposure up to 24–48 h (overall)"
    },
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    "outcomes": [
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        "Adaptive response to oxidative challenge (arsenic trioxide, As2O3) after RF-EMF pre-exposure",
        "Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesion formation and repair kinetics/efficiency (nucleotide excision repair, NER) with UV-B in HaCaT keratinocytes"
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    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
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        "Only the stated SAR levels (0.08 and 4 W/kg) and frequency (3.5 GHz) were evaluated"
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    "keywords": [
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        "HaCaT keratinocytes",
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        "DNA repair",
        "CPD",
        "NER",
        "SAR"
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