Transcriptomic Profile Reveals Deregulation of Hearing-Loss Related Genes in Vestibular Schwannoma Cells Following Electromagnetic Field Exposure (50 Hz)

Abstract

Overview

Hearing loss (HL) is identified as the most prevalent sensory disorder globally, heavily associated with the presence of vestibular schwannoma (VS), a benign tumor on the VIII cranial nerve originating from Schwann cell transformation. Recent decades have shown an increased incidence of VS closely linked to electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, positioning it as a potential pathogenic factor in VS development and subsequent HL.

Findings

• Exploration of molecular mechanisms in human Schwann cells post-EMF exposure using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis.
• Investigation into the genomic profile and the differential expression of HL-related genes following prolonged EMF exposure.
• Identification of significant modifications in cell proliferation, intracellular signaling, metabolic pathways—particularly those linked to translation and mitochondrial activities.
• Deregulation of critical HL-related genes such as NEFL, TPRN, OTOGL, GJB2, and REST due to chronic EMF exposure.

Conclusion

The study suggests that EMF exposure, even at a preclinical stage, might promote the oncogenic transformation of VS cells, contributing significantly to hearing loss. This implicates EMF exposure as a potential enhancer of molecular changes leading to severe health consequences.