Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview: This study focuses on the potential impacts of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on embryonic neural stem cells, examined at the proteomic level.

Methodology: Neuroectodermal stem cells (NE-4C cells) were divided into a sham group and an RF group. The latter was exposed to a 1950 MHz RF-EMF at 2 W/kg for 48 hours. Assessments included cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis via flow cytometry, protein abundance with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and mRNA expression via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Findings: There were no significant differences in cell proliferation, cell cycle, or apoptosis between the groups. Notably, there were differences in the abundance of 23 proteins between the groups, correlating with changes in transcript levels (P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis showed that these proteins were predominantly involved in 'localization' in cellular processes, yet significant pathway alterations in NE-4C cells were not observed.

Conclusion: While the low-level exposure to RF-EMF was not found to be neurotoxic, it could induce subtle changes in protein abundance that may affect neurodevelopment or brain function. Given the importance of neurodevelopment, these findings underline the need for continued research into the effects of RF-EMF, particularly as environmental exposures increase.