Effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on trophoblastic connexins.

Abstract

Connexins (Cx) are membrane proteins able to influence trophoblast functions. Here we investigated the effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) on Cx expression and localization in extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo. We also analysed cell ultrastructural changes induced by HF-EMF exposure. Samples were exposed to pulse-modulated 1817 MHz sinusoidal waves (GSM-217 Hz; 1h: SAR of 2 W/kg). Cx mRNA expression was assessed through semi-quantitative RT-PCR, protein expression by Western blotting, protein localization by indirect immunofluorescence, cell ultrastructure using electron microscopy. HF-EMF exposure significantly and selectively increased Cx40 and Cx43, without altering protein expression. Nevertheless, Cx40 and Cx43 lost their punctuate fluorescence within the cell membrane, becoming diffuse after HF-EMF exposure. Electron microscopy evidenced a sharp decrease in intercellular gap junction-like structures. This study is the first to indicate that exposure of extravillous trophoblast to GSM-217 Hz signals can modify Cx gene expression, Cx protein localization and cellular ultrastructure.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In HTR-8/SVneo extravillous trophoblast cells, exposure to pulse-modulated 1817 MHz (GSM-217 Hz) for 1 h at SAR 2 W/kg significantly and selectively increased Cx40 and Cx43 mRNA expression without altering protein expression. After exposure, Cx40 and Cx43 immunofluorescence changed from punctuate membrane staining to a more diffuse pattern, and electron microscopy showed a sharp decrease in intercellular gap junction-like structures.

Outcomes measured

• Connexin (Cx) mRNA expression (Cx40, Cx43)
• Connexin protein expression
• Connexin protein localization (immunofluorescence)
• Cell ultrastructure (electron microscopy)
• Intercellular gap junction-like structures

Limitations

• In vitro cell line study; findings may not generalize to in vivo pregnancy outcomes
• Exposure duration limited to 1 hour
• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Only selected connexins and endpoints assessed

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone (GSM-like signal)",
        "frequency_mhz": 1817,
        "sar_wkg": 2,
        "duration": "1 h"
    },
    "population": "Extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Connexin (Cx) mRNA expression (Cx40, Cx43)",
        "Connexin protein expression",
        "Connexin protein localization (immunofluorescence)",
        "Cell ultrastructure (electron microscopy)",
        "Intercellular gap junction-like structures"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In HTR-8/SVneo extravillous trophoblast cells, exposure to pulse-modulated 1817 MHz (GSM-217 Hz) for 1 h at SAR 2 W/kg significantly and selectively increased Cx40 and Cx43 mRNA expression without altering protein expression. After exposure, Cx40 and Cx43 immunofluorescence changed from punctuate membrane staining to a more diffuse pattern, and electron microscopy showed a sharp decrease in intercellular gap junction-like structures.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro cell line study; findings may not generalize to in vivo pregnancy outcomes",
        "Exposure duration limited to 1 hour",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Only selected connexins and endpoints assessed"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "high-frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "HF-EMF",
        "RF-EMF",
        "GSM",
        "1817 MHz",
        "GSM-217 Hz",
        "SAR 2 W/kg",
        "trophoblast",
        "HTR-8/SVneo",
        "connexin 40",
        "connexin 43",
        "gap junctions",
        "immunofluorescence",
        "electron microscopy"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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