Thapsigargin blocks electromagnetic field-elicited intracellular Ca 2+ increase in HEK 293 cells

Authors: Federico Bertagna, Rebecca Lewis, S Ravi P Silva, Johnjoe McFadden, Kamalan Jeevaratnam

Year: 2022 May

Category: Cell Physiology

Journal: Physiol Rep

DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15189

URL: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.14814/phy2.15189

Abstract

Overview

The study investigates the biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on cellular processes, particularly focusing on ion channels and cellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

Findings

  • EMFs have significant impacts on the proliferation and functionality of various ion channels.
  • Central to the study is the modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis, an essential element in numerous cellular signaling pathways.
  • Exposure of HEK 293 cells to both radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) and static magnetic fields (SMFs) resulted in a marked increase in intracellular [Ca2+].
  • The administration of Thapsigargin (10 μM), an inhibitor of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases (SERCAs), effectively nullified the EMF-induced Ca2+ increase.

Conclusion

The findings suggest an integral role of the endoplasmic reticulum in the EMF-mediated modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis and underline the potential health risks associated with EMF exposure.

EMF cellular biology Ca2+ homeostasis HEK 293 cells Thapsigargin RF-EMFs SMFs
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