The Effects of 900 MHz Electromagnetic Radiation CD4+ T cells, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17a in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells cultures

Abstract

The immune system is able to react to discrete environmental stimuli like electromagnetic field (EMF). To investigate the effects of radiofrequency EMF (RF-EMF) on T helper cells, our study aimed to determine that exposure to 900 MHz RF-EMF affects Th1, Th2, and Th17a cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures. The PBMC cultures from healthy subjects were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF (38 V/m, SAR 1.194 W/kg) with durations of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and distances of 0 and 5 cm or without irradiation, respectively. After 48 hours culture, the effects of RF-EMF exposure on the number of CD4+ T cells, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17a were evaluated using flow cytometer. There was a decreased CD4+ T cells at 15 & 30 minutes exposure and, which then became almost the same at 60 minutes exposure, to those without. IL-2 and IL-10 increased significantly, but decreased with the duration of exposure, approximates the control. Interleukin-17a was decreased significantly compared to controls. The effect of 900 MHz RF-EMF exposure on the percentage of CD4+ T cells, IL-2, and IL-10 was temporary. The RF-EMF causes reduction of IL-17a.