Abstract

Overview

A large body of evidence suggests environmental agents can induce changes in DNA methylation profiles. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), emitted by everyday devices and classified as "possibly carcinogenic," have unclear biological effects. This study focuses on DNA methylation (DNAm) of genomic repetitive elements (REs), which may promote genomic instability.

Findings

• Assessment of DNAm profiles in cervical cancer and neuroblastoma cell lines (HeLa, BE(2)C, and SH-SY5Y) exposed to 900 MHz GSM-modulated RF-EMF.
• No change in DNAm of Alu elements across cell lines.
• Varied influence on DNAm of LINE-1 and ribosomal repeats, impacting both average profiles and organization of methylated and unmethylated CpG sites.

Conclusion

RF-EMF exposure can alter DNAm of LINE-1 and ribosomal DNA, which are prevalent in the human genome. These effects vary based on cell context and genetic background, indicating a need for further studies to comprehend the epigenetic impacts of RF-EMF for improved safety assessments.

Note: Special attention was not given to the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this study, although they could be a significant mediator in EMF-induced DNAm changes. Future research should consider the potential role of ROS.