Non-thermal disruption of β-adrenergic receptor-activated Ca2+ signalling and apoptosis in human ES-derived cardiomyocytes by microwave electric fields at 2.4 GHz
Abstract
Non-thermal disruption of β-adrenergic receptor-activated Ca2+ signalling and apoptosis in human ES-derived cardiomyocytes by microwave electric fields at 2.4 GHz Williams CF, Hather C, Conteh JS, Zhang J, Popa RG, Owen AW, Jonas CL, Choi H, Daniel RM, Lloyd D, Porch A, George CH. Non-thermal disruption of β-adrenergic receptor-activated Ca2+ signalling and apoptosis in human ES-derived cardiomyocytes by microwave electric fields at 2.4 GHz. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2023 Apr 17;661:89-98. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.038. Highlights Microwaves at 2.4 GHz are fundamental to today's wireless communication (e.g., 4G, WiFi). The non-thermal effects of 2.4 GHz microwaves on biological systems are controversial. 2.4 GHz microwaves eliminated the response of human heart cells to β-AR stimulation. Microwave-disrupted calcium signalling promoted spatially-clustered apoptosis. The destructive effects of 2.4 GHz microwaves were mediated by non-thermal mechanisms. Abstract The ubiquity of wireless electronic-device connectivity has seen microwaves emerge as one of the fastest growing forms of electromagnetic exposure. A growing evidence-base refutes the claim that wireless technologies pose no risk to human health at current safety levels designed to limit thermal (heating) effects. The potential impact of non-thermal effects of microwave exposure, especially in electrically-excitable tissues (e.g., heart), remains controversial. We exposed human embryonic stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes (CM), under baseline and beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR)-stimulated conditions, to microwaves at 2.4 GHz, a frequency used extensively in wireless communication (e.g., 4G, Bluetooth™ and WiFi). To control for any effect of sample heating, experiments were done in CM subjected to matched rates of direct heating or CM maintained at 37 °C. Detailed profiling of the temporal and amplitude features of Ca2+ signalling in CM under these experimental conditions was reconciled with the extent and spatial clustering of apoptosis. The data show that exposure of CM to 2.4 GHz EMF eliminated the normal Ca2+ signalling response to β-AR stimulation and provoked spatially-clustered apoptosis. This is first evidence that non-thermal effects of 2.4 GHz microwaves might have profound effects on human CM function, responsiveness to activation, and survival. Excerpt To maximize the likelihood of eliciting a measurable thermal and non-thermal effect on the biological processes that modulate cellular Ca2+ signals, our study used microwave power levels equivalent to an absorption of approximately 3 W/g. This is more than 1000-times higher than the recommended specific absorption rate (SAR) safety threshold in Europe and the US. It is unlikely that exposure to microwaves at this power will be encountered in everyday life. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
In human ES-derived cardiomyocytes, exposure to 2.4 GHz electromagnetic fields eliminated the normal Ca2+ signalling response to β-adrenergic receptor stimulation and provoked spatially-clustered apoptosis. The study reports these effects under conditions intended to control for heating, and notes use of microwave power levels corresponding to ~3 W/g absorption.
Outcomes measured
- Ca2+ signalling response to β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation
- Apoptosis (including spatial clustering)
- Cell responsiveness to activation
- Cell survival
Limitations
- In vitro model (human ES-derived cardiomyocytes), not an in vivo or epidemiologic study
- Microwave power levels corresponded to ~3 W/g absorption, stated to be >1000× higher than recommended SAR safety thresholds and unlikely to be encountered in everyday life
- Exposure duration not stated in the provided abstract/metadata
- Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Suggested hubs
-
school-wi-fi
(0.42) Exposure frequency (2.4 GHz) is used for WiFi; study discusses WiFi among example sources.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "in_vitro",
"exposure": {
"band": "microwave",
"source": "wireless communication (e.g., 4G, Bluetooth, WiFi)",
"frequency_mhz": 2400,
"sar_wkg": 3000,
"duration": null
},
"population": "Human embryonic stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes (human ES-derived cardiomyocytes)",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Ca2+ signalling response to β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation",
"Apoptosis (including spatial clustering)",
"Cell responsiveness to activation",
"Cell survival"
],
"main_findings": "In human ES-derived cardiomyocytes, exposure to 2.4 GHz electromagnetic fields eliminated the normal Ca2+ signalling response to β-adrenergic receptor stimulation and provoked spatially-clustered apoptosis. The study reports these effects under conditions intended to control for heating, and notes use of microwave power levels corresponding to ~3 W/g absorption.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"In vitro model (human ES-derived cardiomyocytes), not an in vivo or epidemiologic study",
"Microwave power levels corresponded to ~3 W/g absorption, stated to be >1000× higher than recommended SAR safety thresholds and unlikely to be encountered in everyday life",
"Exposure duration not stated in the provided abstract/metadata",
"Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"2.4 GHz",
"microwave",
"RF-EMF",
"WiFi",
"Bluetooth",
"4G",
"non-thermal effects",
"specific absorption rate",
"SAR",
"cardiomyocytes",
"human embryonic stem cells",
"Ca2+ signalling",
"β-adrenergic receptor",
"apoptosis"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "school-wi-fi",
"weight": 0.419999999999999984456877655247808434069156646728515625,
"reason": "Exposure frequency (2.4 GHz) is used for WiFi; study discusses WiFi among example sources."
}
]
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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