Bioelectromagnetics. 2004 Feb; 25(2): 118-26.

Un bas champ électromagnétique (50 Hz) incite la différentiation sur des kératinocytes primaires humains.

Low electromagnetic field (50 Hz) induces differentiation on primary human oral keratinocytes (HOK).

Manni V, Lisi A, Rieti S, Serafino A, Ledda M, Giuliani L, Sacco D, D'Emilia E, Grimaldi S.

Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare (INeMM), CNR, Rome, Italy.

This work concerns the effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF) on biochemical properties of human oral keratinocytes (HOK). Cells exposed to a 2 mT, 50 Hz, magnetic field, showed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) modification in shape and morphology; these modifications were also associated with different actin distribution, revealed by phalloidin fluorescence analysis. Moreover, exposed cells had a smaller clonogenic capacity, and decreased cellular growth. Indirect immunofluorescence with fluorescent antibodies against involucrin and beta-catenin, both differentiation and adhesion markers, revealed an increase in involucrin and beta-catenin expression. The advance in differentiation was confirmed by a decrease of expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in exposed cells, supporting the idea that exposure to electromagnetic field carries keratinocytes to higher differentiation level. These observations support the hypothesis that 50 Hz electromagnetic fields may modify cell morphology and interfere in differentiation and cellular adhesion of normal keratinocytes. Bioelectromagnetics 25:118-126, 2004. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.