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AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Ohtani et al. 2015 (IEEE #6010): With the widespread use of radio-frequency devices, it is increasingly important to understand the biological
effects of the associated electromagnetic fields. Thus, we investigated the effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic
fields (RF-EMF) on T cell responses during development due to the lack of science-based evidence for RF-EMF
effects on developmental immune systems. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to 2.14-GHz wideband code
division multiple-access (W-CDMA) RF signals at a whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.2 W/kg. Exposures
were performed for a total of 9 weeks spanning in utero development, lactation and the juvenile period. Rats
were continuously exposed to RF-EMF for 20 h/day, 7 days/week. Comparisons of control and exposed rats using
flow cytometry revealed no changes in the numbers of CD4/CD8 T cells, activated T cells or regulatory T cells
among peripheral blood cells, splenocytes and thymocytes. Expression levels of 16 genes that regulate the immunological
Th1/Th2 paradigm were analyzed using real-time PCR in the spleen and thymus tissues of control and RFEMF
exposed rats. Although only the Il5 gene was significantly regulated in spleen tissues, Il4, Il5 and Il23a genes
were significantly upregulated in thymus tissues following exposure to RF-EMF. However, ELISAs showed no
changes in serum IL-4 protein concentrations. These data indicate no adverse effects of long-term RF-EMF exposure
on immune-like T cell populations, T cell activation, or Th1/Th2 balance in developing rats, although significant
transcriptional effects were observed. |