ID Number		1046
Study Type		In Vitro
Model		2450 MHz (CW) exposure to lens epithelial cells and analysis of gene expression and growth
Details		Primary lens cells were exposed to 2450 MHz (CW) at 0.1 to 10 mW/cm2 for periods of 4-8 hours. Exposure was reported to affect cell morphology, decrease cell density and viability, and exposure above 0.5 mW/cm2 blocked cell cycle progression into the G0/G1 phase. There was also a significant increase in the expression of the P27Kip1 gene. The authors admit that there was a slight temperature increase during the experiments and that a thermal effect cannot be ruled out, although they hypothesized non-thermal effects. In a subsequent study, the authors used a human lens cell line (hLEC) exposed to 1800 MHz (GSM) RF at 1, 2, and 3.5 W/kg for 2 hours using a waveguide and numerical SAR modeling supplied by ETH Zurich. Cell culture temperature was maintained within 0.1 degree C. The authors report increases in hnRNP K and HSP 70 protein levels as determined by mass spectrometer identification of spots on 2-D protein gels uisng mass spectrometry. In earlier studies, rabbits were exposed to 2450 MHz (CW) in one eye to MW (using an undefined frequency) at 5 - 10 mW/cm2 for 3 hours (the control eye was covered with a wire mesh). In initial studies, the authors reported changes in lens epithelial cells and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) via channel immunostaining at both power densities (with a slight dose response) that they attributed to non-thermal effects. No effects on cataract formation were noted, although the authors speculated that the findings may suggest such exposure could lead to cataracts. In recent studies,
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China - hch@mail.hz.zj.cn
Funding Agency		Private/Instit.
Country		CHINA
References		Li, HW et al. Jpn J Ophthalmol, (2007) 51:412-416 Yao, K Molecular Vision, (2004) 10:138-143 Juan, YE et al. Chinese Medical Journal, (2002) 115:1873-1876 Ye, J et al. Chin Med J (Engl), (2001) 114:1290-1294
Comments		At the power densities used, it is probably reasonable to assume there was no significant temperature increase in the exposed animals. A lack of details with regard to the exposure, however, would make the findings difficult to replicate (exposure system, restraint, orientation with respect to antenna, body temperature and stress during exposure).