Extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields promote in vitro neurogenesis via upregulation of Ca_v1‐channel activity

Abstract

We previously reported that exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFEFs) increases the expression and function of voltage-gated Ca2+)channels and that Ca2+ influx through Ca(v)1 channels plays a key role in promoting the neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs). The present study was conducted to determine whether ELFEFs influence the neuronal differentiation of NSCs isolated from the brain cortices of newborn mice by modulating Ca(v)1-channel function. In cultures of differentiating NSCs exposed to ELFEFs (1 mT, 50 Hz), the percentage of cells displaying immunoreactivity for neuronal markers (beta-III-tubulin, MAP2) and for Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.3 channels was markedly increased. NSC-differentiated neurons in ELFEF-exposed cultures also exhibited significant increases in spontaneous firing, in the percentage of cells exhibiting Ca2+ transients in response to KCl stimulation, in the amplitude of these transients and of Ca2+ currents generated by the activation of Ca(v)1 channels. When the Ca(v)1-channel blocker nifedipine (5 microM) was added to the culture medium, the neuronal yield of NSC differentiation dropped significantly, and ELFEF exposure no longer produced significant increases in beta-III-tubulin- and MAP2-immunoreactivity rates. In contrast, the effects of ELFEFs were preserved when NSCs were cultured in the presence of either glutamate receptor antagonists or Ca(v)2.1- and Ca(v)2.2-channel blockers. ELFEF stimulation during the first 24 h of differentiation caused Ca(v)1-dependent increases in the number of cells displaying CREB phosphorylation. Our data suggest that ELFEF exposure promotes neuronal differentiation of NSCs by upregulating Ca(v)1-channel expression and function.

Proteomic Analysis of the Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) With Different Intensities in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cell Line

“…9,10 Several studies indicated that ELF-EMF exposure leads to alteration of chromosomal regulation and structure. [11][12][13] Moreover, other in vitro studies suggested that ELF-EMF can change the expression of some protein involved in control of cell proliferation processes, 14,15 while others demonstrated that exposure to ELF-EMF has no effects on cell proliferation, DNA replication andregulation. 16 The results of these studies are different and may correspond to the opposite effects.…”

Influence of distant femtosecond laser pulses on growth cone fillopodia

“…channels and that Ca 2? influx through Ca v l channels plays a key role in promoting neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (Piacentini et al 2008). Furthermore the naturally occurring photoreceptors (opsins) in the brain could play a role in sensing the light spot (Henkel et al 2006) at a distance.…”

The Main Approaches of Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Artificial Electromagnetic Fields on Cell

“…The consequent increase in Ca 2+ influx is likely responsible for the EF-induced modulation of neuronal cell proliferation and apoptosis [106]. The differentiating neural stem/ progenitor cells were exposed to EMNs (1 mT, 50 Hz), Cell exposure promotes neuronal differentiation of cells by upregulating Ca(v)1-channel expression and function [107].…”