Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Enhances Melanin Synthesis by Activating the P53

Abstract

Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Enhances Melanin Synthesis by Activating the P53 Signaling Pathway in Mel-Ab Melanocytes Kim JH, Kang D-J, Seok JY, Kim M-H, Kim D-S, Jeon S-B, Choi H-D, Moon JI, Kim N, Kim HR. Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Enhances Melanin Synthesis by Activating the P53 Signaling Pathway in Mel-Ab Melanocytes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(22):12457. doi.org Abstract The skin is the largest body organ that can be physiologically affected by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). We investigated the effect of RF-EMFs on melanogenesis; Mel-Ab melanocytes were exposed to 1760 MHz radiation with a specific absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg for 4 h/day over 4 days. Exposure to the RF-EMF led to skin pigmentation, with a significant increase in melanin production in Mel-Ab melanocytes. The phosphorylation level of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which regulate the expression of tyrosinase, were significantly increased in Mel-Ab after RF-EMF exposure. Interestingly, the expression of tyrosinase was significantly increased, but tyrosinase activity was unchanged in the RF-EMF-exposed Mel-Ab cells. Additionally, the expression of p53 and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which regulate MITF expression, was significantly increased. These results suggest that the RF-EMF induces melanogenesis by increasing phospho-CREB and MITF activity. Importantly, when Mel-Ab cells were incubated at 38 °C, the melanin production and the levels of tyrosinase significantly decreased, indicating that the increase in melanin synthesis by RF-EMF exposure is not due to a thermal effect. In conclusion, RF-EMF exposure induces melanogenesis in Mel-Ab cells through the increased expression of tyrosinase via the activation of MITF or the phosphorylation of CREB, which are initiated by the activation of p53 and MC1R. Conclusion: In summary, we have shown that 1760 MHz RF-EMF exposure (SAR of 4.0 W/kg for 4 h/d over 4 d) could induce hyperpigmentation by activating the melanin synthesis pathway in Mel-Ab melanocytes, suggesting that skin pigmentation could be affected by RF-EMF exposure in a way that is distinct from simple thermal effects. Open access paper: mdpi.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Mel-Ab melanocytes exposed to 1760 MHz RF-EMF (SAR 4.0 W/kg; 4 h/day for 4 days) showed a significant increase in melanin production/pigmentation. RF-EMF exposure increased phospho-CREB, MITF, tyrosinase expression, and increased p53 and MC1R expression, while tyrosinase activity was unchanged. Incubation at 38 °C decreased melanin production and tyrosinase levels, which the authors interpret as evidence the RF-EMF effect was not due to heating.

Outcomes measured

• Melanin production/pigmentation
• Phosphorylation of CREB (phospho-CREB)
• MITF expression
• Tyrosinase expression
• Tyrosinase activity
• p53 expression
• MC1R expression
• Thermal vs non-thermal effect (38 °C incubation comparison)

Limitations

• In vitro study in a single melanocyte cell line (Mel-Ab); generalizability to human skin in vivo is unclear
• Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
• Exposure scenario (SAR 4.0 W/kg) may not reflect typical real-world exposures; external validity not described
• Mechanistic pathway conclusions are based on expression/phosphorylation changes reported in the abstract; causal mediation not fully established from abstract alone

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 1760,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": "4 h/day over 4 days"
    },
    "population": "Mel-Ab melanocytes (cell line)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Melanin production/pigmentation",
        "Phosphorylation of CREB (phospho-CREB)",
        "MITF expression",
        "Tyrosinase expression",
        "Tyrosinase activity",
        "p53 expression",
        "MC1R expression",
        "Thermal vs non-thermal effect (38 °C incubation comparison)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Mel-Ab melanocytes exposed to 1760 MHz RF-EMF (SAR 4.0 W/kg; 4 h/day for 4 days) showed a significant increase in melanin production/pigmentation. RF-EMF exposure increased phospho-CREB, MITF, tyrosinase expression, and increased p53 and MC1R expression, while tyrosinase activity was unchanged. Incubation at 38 °C decreased melanin production and tyrosinase levels, which the authors interpret as evidence the RF-EMF effect was not due to heating.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro study in a single melanocyte cell line (Mel-Ab); generalizability to human skin in vivo is unclear",
        "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
        "Exposure scenario (SAR 4.0 W/kg) may not reflect typical real-world exposures; external validity not described",
        "Mechanistic pathway conclusions are based on expression/phosphorylation changes reported in the abstract; causal mediation not fully established from abstract alone"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "RF-EMF",
        "1760 MHz",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "SAR 4.0 W/kg",
        "melanogenesis",
        "melanin",
        "hyperpigmentation",
        "CREB phosphorylation",
        "MITF",
        "tyrosinase",
        "p53",
        "MC1R",
        "non-thermal effects",
        "melanocytes",
        "Mel-Ab"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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