Biological responses of mobile phone frequency exposure

Existence of low level electromagnetic fields in the environment has been known since antiquity and their biological implications are noted for several decades. As such dosimetry of such field parameters and their emissions from various sources of mass utilization has been a subject of constant concern. Recent advancement in mobile communications has also drawn attention to their biological effects. Hand held children and adults alike generally use mobile sources as cordless phones in various positions with respect to the body. Further, an increasing number of mobile communication base stations have led to wide ranging concern about possible health effects of radiofrequency emissions. There are two distinct possibilities by which health could be affected as a result of radio frequency field exposure. These are thermal effects caused by holding mobile phones close to the body and extended conversations over a long period of time. Secondly, there could be possibly non thermal effects from both phones and base stations whereby the affects could also be cumulative. Some people may be adversely affected by the environmental impact of mobile phone base stations situated near their homes, schools or any other place. In addition to mobile phones, appliances like microwave oven etc are also in increasing use. Apart from the controversy over the possible health effects due to the non-thermal effect of electromagnetic fields the electromagnetic interaction of portable radio waves with human head needs to be quantitatively evaluated. Relating to this is the criteria of safe exposure to the population at large. While a lot of efforts have gone into resolving the issue, a clear picture has yet to emerge. Recent advances and the problems relating to the safety criteria are discussed.     

Testing the effectiveness of small radiation shields for mobile phones

Nine small radiation shields made to adhere to the case of mobile phones were tested at 914 and 1880 MHz. Five popular products were tested because advertisements typically claim they are up to 99% effective in blocking radio frequency (RF) radiation emitted from mobile phones. Also, four other conceptually unusual products were tested because advertisements typically claim they emit oscillations that counteract the RF radiation from mobile phones. Each shield was tested on the same mobile phone, and measurements were made to compare the absorption of RF energy in the head with and without each shield attached to the phone. The phone was positioned against a head model, and an automated measurement process was used to determine specific absorption rate (SAR) in the same way it is used at Motorola to test the compliance of mobile phones with respect to human exposure limits. The location of the peak SAR was not observed to change with any of the shields attached to the phone, and the 1 g, peak spatial average SAR did not change by any statistically significant amount. These results indicate the small shields are ineffective in reducing the exposure of the head to RF energy emitted by a mobile phone.     

Time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England

Mobile phone use in the United Kingdom and other countries has risen steeply since the early 1990's when the first digital mobile phones were introduced. There is an ongoing controversy about whether radio frequency (RF) exposure from mobile phones increases the risk of brain cancer. However, given the widespread use and nearly two decades elapsing since mobile phones were introduced, an association should have produced a noticeable increase in the incidence of brain cancer by now. Trends in rates of newly diagnosed brain cancer cases in England between 1998 and 2007 were examined. There were no time trends in overall incidence of brain cancers for either gender, or any specific age group. Systematic increases in rates for cancers of the temporal lobe in men (0.04 new cases/year) and women (0.02/year) were observed, along with decreases in the rates of cancers of the parietal lobe (-0.03/year), cerebrum (-0.02/year) and cerebellum (-0.01/year) in men only. The increased use of mobile phones between 1985 and 2003 has not led to a noticeable change in the incidence of brain cancer in England between 1998 and 2007. The observed increase in the rate of cancers in the temporal lobe, if caused by mobile phone use, would constitute <1 additional case per 100,000 people in that period. These data do not indicate a pressing need to implement a precautionary principle by means of population-wide interventions to reduce RF exposure from mobile phones.     

Environmental Fate of Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor Disposal

This article describes a methodology for the quantitative assessment of the environmental fate of gallium and arsenic from the disposal of mobile phones containing gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors, using data from Japan.
The product lifetime of mobile phones is short, and the recycling systems for such phones are currently underdeveloped. As a result, many mobile phones are disposed of via incineration and landfilling. The disposal of GaAs semiconductors could lead to some releases of gallium and arsenic to air and water. The methodology presented here begins with an estimation of the cumulative number of disposed mobile phones, using a logistic curve. Then, thermodynamic simulation and laboratory experiments are carried out to assess how much gallium and arsenic may be released into the environment. Using this method, the cumulative number of mobile phones disposed of in Japan is calculated to be 610 million by 2010. Distribution among air emissions, the leachate, and the insoluble residue (in landfilled incinerator ash) was determined to be 4.20 × 10^-2%, 1.58 × 10^-1%, and 99.8% for gallium, and 2.00 × 10^-1%, 19.5%, and 80.3% for arsenic, respectively. For phones that are disposed of directly in landfills, it is estimated that nearly 100% of the gallium and arsenic exists as the insoluble residue. We suggest that, in the conditions present in Japan, disposal of mobile phones directly into the landfill is preferable to the incineration with subsequent landfill of ash with respect to gallium and arsenic emissions into the environment. The proposed methodology may be adapted for the assessment of the environmental fate of problematic substances from the disposal of similar products.     

IL-2 activation of NK cells: involvement of MKK1/2/ERK but not p38 kinase pathway

IL-2 stimulates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in various immune cell populations. The functional roles that these kinases play are still unclear. In this study, we examined whether MAPK kinase (MKK)/ERK and p38 MAPK pathways are necessary for IL-2 to activate NK cells. Using freshly isolated human NK cells, we established that an intact MKK/ERK pathway is necessary for IL-2 to activate NK cells to express at least four known biological responses: LAK generation, IFN-gamma secretion, and CD25 and CD69 expression. IL-2 induced ERK activation within 5 min. Treatment of NK cells with a specific inhibitor of MKK1/2, PD98059, during the IL-2 stimulation blocked in a dose-dependent manner each of four sequelae, with inhibition of lymphokine-activated killing induction being least sensitive to MKK/ERK pathway blockade. Activation of p38 MAPK by IL-2 was not detected in NK cells. In contrast to what was observed by others in T lymphocytes, SB203850, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, did not inhibit IL-2-activated NK functions. This data indicate that p38 MAPK activation was not required for IL-2 to activate NK cells for the four functions examined. These results reveal selective signaling differences between NK cells and T lymphocytes; in NK cells, the MKK/ERK pathway and not p38 MAPK plays a critical positive regulatory role during activation by IL-2.     

The signalling profile of recombinant human orexin-2 receptor

Orexin-A and orexin-B orchestrate their diverse central and peripheral effects via two G-protein coupled receptors, OX1R and OX2R, which activate multiple G-proteins. In many tissues, orexins activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK(1/2)) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); however, the mechanism by which OX2R alone mediates MAPK activation is not understood. This study describes the intracellular signalling pathways involved in OX2R-mediated ERK(1/2) and p38 MAPK activation. In HEK-293 cells stably over-expressing recombinant human OX2R, orexin-A/B resulted in a rapid, dose and time dependent increase in activation of ERK(1/2) and p38 MAPK, with maximal activation at 10 min for ERK(1/2) and 30 min for p38 MAPK. Using dominant-negative G-proteins and selective inhibitors of intracellular signalling cascades, we determined that orexin-A and orexin-B induced ERK(1/2) and p38 MAPK activation through multiple G-proteins and different intracellular signalling pathways. ERK(1/2) activation involves Gq/phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC), Gs/adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and Gi cascades; however, the Gq/PLC/PKC pathway, as well as PKA is not required for OX2R-mediated p38 MAPK activation. Interestingly, orexin-B-induced ERK(1/2) activation is predominantly mediated through the Gq/PLC/PKC pathway. In conclusion, this is the first comprehensive signalling study of the human OX2R recombinant receptor, showing ERK(1/2) and p38 MAPK activation are regulated by differential signalling pathways in HEK-293 cells, and that the ERK(1/2) activation is severely affected by naturally occurring mutants associated with narcolepsy. Moreover, it is evident that the human OX2R has ligand specific effects, with orexin-B being more potent in this transfected system and this distinct modulation of the MAPKs through OX2R, may translate to the regulation of diverse biological actions of orexins.     

TRAF6 and Src kinase activity regulates Cot activation by IL-1

Cot is one of the MAP kinase kinase kinases that regulates the ERK1/ERK2 pathway under physiological conditions. Cot is activated by LPS, by inducing its dissociation from the inactive p105 NFkappaB-Cot complex in macrophages. Here, we show that IL-1 promotes a 10-fold increase in endogenous Cot activity and that Cot is the only MAP kinase kinase kinase that activates ERK1/ERK2 in response to this cytokine. Moreover, in cells where the expression of Cot is blocked, IL-1 fails to induce an increase in IL-8 and MIP-1betamRNA levels. The activation of Cot-MKK1-ERK1/ERK2 signalling pathway by IL-1 is dependent on the activity of the transducer protein TRAF6. Most important, IL-1-induced ERK1/ERK2 activation is inhibited by PP1, a known inhibitor of Src tyrosine kinases, but this tyrosine kinase activity is not required for IL-1 to activate other MAP kinases such as p38 and JNK. This Src kinases inhibitor does not block the dissociation and subsequently degradation of Cot in response to IL-1, indicating that other events besides Cot dissociation are required to activate Cot. All these data highlight the specific requirements for activation of the Cot-MKK1-ERK1/ERK2 pathway and provide evidence that Cot controls the functions of IL-1 that are mediated by ERK1/ERK2.     

Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1, a novel AKT-associating protein, regulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling through a B-Raf-mediated pathway

Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a scaffolding protein that regulates signaling and trafficking of several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH1R). GPCRs activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 through different mechanisms. Here, we characterized NHERF1 regulation of PTH1R-stimulated ERK1/2. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation by a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent, but protein kinase C-, cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate-, and Rap1-independent pathway in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the PTH1R and engineered to express NHERF1 under the control of tetracycline. NHERF1 blocked PTH-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation downstream of PKA. This suggested that NHERF1 inhibitory effects on ERK1/2 occur at a postreceptor locus. Forskolin activated ERK1/2, and this effect was blocked by NHERF1. NHERF1 interacted with AKT and inhibited ERK1/2 activation by decreasing the stimulatory effect of 14-3-3 binding to B-Raf, while increasing the inhibitory influence of AKT negative regulation on ERK1/2 activation. This novel regulatory mechanism provides a new model by which cytoplasmic adapter proteins modulate ERK1/2 activation through a receptor-independent mechanism involving B-Raf.     

Mobile phone electromagnetic radiation activates MAPK signaling and regulates viability in Drosophila

Mobile phones are widely used in the modern world. However, biological effects of electromagnetic radiation produced by mobile phones are largely unknown. In this report, we show biological effects of the mobile phone 835 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) in the Drosophila model system. When flies were exposed to the specific absorption rate (SAR) 1.6 W/kg, which is the proposed exposure limit by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), more than 90% of the flies were viable even after the 30 h exposure. However, in the SAR 4.0 W/kg strong EMF exposure, viability dropped from the 12 h exposure. These EMF exposures triggered stress response and increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The EMF exposures also activated extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, but not p38 kinase signaling. Interestingly, SAR 1.6 W/kg activated mainly ERK signaling and expression of an anti-apoptotic gene, whereas SAR 4.0 W/kg strongly activated JNK signaling and expression of apoptotic genes. In addition, SAR 4.0 W/kg amplified the number of apoptotic cells in the fly brain. These findings demonstrate that the exposure limit on electromagnetic radiation proposed by ANSI triggered ERK-survival signaling but the strong electromagnetic radiation activated JNK-apoptotic signaling in Drosophila.     

Influence of information about specific absorption rate (SAR) upon customers' purchase decisions and safety evaluation of mobile phones

This study investigated whether the SAR value is a purchase-relevant characteristic of mobile phones for laypersons and what effect the disclosure of a precautionary SAR value has on laypersons' risk perception. The study consisted of two parts: Study part 1 used a conjoint analysis design to explore the relevance of the SAR value and other features of mobile phones for an intended buying decision. Study part 2 used an experimental, repeated measures design to examine the effect of the magnitude of SAR values and the disclosure of a precautionary SAR value on risk perception. In addition, the study included an analysis of prior concerns of the study participants with regard to mobile phone risks. Part 1 indicates that the SAR value has a high relevance for laypersons' purchase intentions. In the experimental purchase setting it ranks even before price and equipment features. The results of study part 2 show that providing information of a precautionary limit value does not influence risk perception. This result suggests that laypersons' underlying subjective "safety model" for mobile phones resembles more a "margin of safety" concept than a threshold concept. The latter observation holds true no matter how concerned the participants are.     

The Mos/MAP kinase pathway stabilizes c-Fos by phosphorylation and augments its transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells.

The c-mos proto-oncogene product, Mos, is a serine/threonine kinase that can activate ERK1 and 2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by direct phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK). ERK activation is essential for oncogenic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by Mos. In this study, we examined how mitogenic and oncogenic signalling from the Mos/MEK/ERK pathway reaches the nucleus to activate downstream target genes. We show that c-Fos (the c-fos protooncogene product), which is an intrinsically unstable nuclear protein, is metabolically highly stabilized, and greatly enhances the transforming efficiency of NIH 3T3 cells, by Mos. This stabilization of c-Fos required Mos-induced phosphorylation of its C-terminal region on Ser362 and Ser374, and double replacements of these serines with acidic (Asp) residues markedly increased the stability and transforming efficiency of c-Fos even in the absence of Mos. Moreover, activation of the ERK pathway was necessary and sufficient for the c-Fos phosphorylation and stabilization by Mos. These results indicate that c-Fos undergoes stabilization, and mediates at least partly the oncogenic signalling, by the Mos/MEK/ERK pathway. The present findings also suggest that, in general, the ERK pathway may regulate the cell fate and function by affecting the metabolic stability of c-Fos.     

Calcium-sensing receptor-mediated ERK1/2 activation requires Galphai2 coupling and dynamin-independent receptor internalization

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) recently has been shown to activate MAP kinase (ERK1/2) in various cell types as well as in heterologous expression systems. In this study we show that the CaR agonist NPS R-467 (1 microm), which does not activate the CaR by itself, robustly activates ERK1/2 in the presence of a low concentration of Ca(2+) (0.5 mm CaCl(2)) in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells permanently expressing the human CaR (HEK-hCaR). Ca(2+) (4 mm) also activates ERK1/2 but with differing kinetics. CaR-dependent ERK1/2 activation begins to desensitize to 4 mm Ca(2+) after 10 min, whereas there is no desensitization to NPS R-467/CaCl(2) as late as 4 h. Moreover, recovery from desensitization occurs as rapidly as 30 min with 4 mm CaCl(2). Pretreatment of HEK-hCaR cells with concanavalin A (250 microg/ml) to block CaR internalization completely eliminated the NPS R-467/CaCl(2)-mediated ERK1/2 activation but did not block the 2-min time point of 4 mm Ca(2+)-mediated ERK1/2 activation. Neither dominant-negative dynamin (K44A) nor dominant-negative beta-arrestin inhibited ERK1/2 activation by either CaR agonist treatment, suggesting that CaR-elicited ERK1/2 signaling occurs via a dynamin-independent pathway. Pertussis toxin pretreatment partially attenuated the 4 mm Ca(2+)-ERK1/2 activation; this attenuated activity was completely restored by co-expression of the Galpha(i2) (C351I) but not Galpha(i1) (C351I) or Galpha(i3) (C351I) G proteins, PTX-insensitive G protein mutants. Taken together, these data suggest that both 4 mm Ca(2+) and NPS R-467/CaCl(2) activate ERK1/2 via distinguishable pathways in HEK-hCaR cells and may represent a nexus to differentially regulate differentiation versus proliferation via CaR activation.     

阻断ERK1/2激酶可增强骨形态发生蛋白9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化

骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)具有很强的诱导间充质干细胞定向成骨分化的能力.但对于其所涉及的相关分子机理了解并不深入.利用BMP9重组腺病毒感染间充质干细胞,Western blot检测ERK1/2激酶的磷酸化,ERK1/2的特异性抑制剂PD98059阻断ERK1/2活性,或以RNA干扰抑制ERK1/2表达,通过体外细胞实验和体内动物实验,初步分析和揭示ERK1/2对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化的调控作用及其可能机制.结果发现:BMP9可以促进ERK1/2激酶的磷酸化,ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059可增强由BMP9诱导的碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性、骨桥蛋白(osteopontin,OPN)表达和钙盐沉积,并促进由BMP9诱导的Runx2基因的表达和转录活性,以及Smad经典途径的活化;而RNA干扰导致ERK1/2基因沉默同样也可进一步促进BMP9诱导的ALP活性和钙盐沉积,并促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞在裸鼠皮下异位成骨.因此,BMP9可以促进ERK1/2蛋白激酶的活化,而阻断ERK1/2蛋白激酶可进一步增强BMP9诱导的成骨分化,ERK1/2极可能对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化起着负向调控作用.     

ERK activation by G-protein-coupled receptors in mouse brain is receptor identity-specific.

In transfected cells and non-neuronal tissues many G-protein-coupled receptors activate p44/42 MAP kinase (ERK), a kinase involved in both hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. However, it is not clear to what degree these receptors couple to ERK in brain. G(s)-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor activation of ERK in neurons is critical in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in area CA1 of the hippocampus. In addition, alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors, present in CA1, could potentially activate ERK. We find that, like the beta-adrenergic receptor, the G(q)-coupled alpha(1)AR activates ERK in adult mouse CA1. However, activation of the G(i/o)-coupled alpha(2)AR does not activate ERK, nor does activation of a homologous G(i/o)-coupled receptor enriched in adult mouse CA1, the 5HT(1A) receptor. In contrast, the nonhomologous G(i/o)-coupled gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor does activate ERK in adult mouse CA1. Surprisingly, activation of alpha(2)ARs in CA1 from immature animals where basal phospho-ERK is low induces ERK phosphorylation. These data suggest that although most G-protein-coupled receptor subtypes activate ERK in non-neuronal cells, the coupling of G(i/o) to ERK is tightly regulated in brain.     

beta-Migrating very low density lipoprotein (beta VLDL) activates smooth muscle cell mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase via G protein-coupled receptor-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor: effect of MAP kinase activation on beta VLDL plus EGF-induced cell proliferation

This study examined the premise that the atherogenic lipoprotein, beta-migrating very low density lipoprotein (betaVLDL), might activate the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK1/ERK2, thereby contributing to the induction of smooth muscle cell proliferation in atherosclerosis. The data show that betaVLDL activates rabbit smooth muscle cell ERK1/ERK2. Interestingly, ERK1/ERK2 activation is mediated by G protein-coupled receptors that transactivate the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. betaVLDL-induced MAP kinase activation depends on Ras and Src activity as well as protein kinase C. The inhibition of lysosomal degradation of betaVLDL has no effect on ERK1/ERK2 activation. The contribution of betaVLDL-induced activation of ERK1/ERK2 to smooth muscle cell proliferation was also explored. betaVLDL induces expression of egr-1 and c-fos mRNA. Despite its ability to stimulate early gene expression, betaVLDL alone is unable to inspire quiescent cells into S phase. When added in conjunction with EGF, however, stimulation of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and an increase in histone gene expression are observed. Moreover, betaVLDL plus EGF synergistically induce cyclin D1 expression and down-regulate p27(KIP1) expression. The addition of either betaVLDL or EGF stimulates a robust activation of ERK1/ERK2, but the addition of both agents simultaneously sustains the activation for a longer time period. Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase, pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, the EGF receptor, or protein kinase C blocks betaVLDL plus EGF-induced proliferation, demonstrating that activation of the betaVLDL-induced signaling pathway results in smooth muscle cell proliferation.     

Self‐report of physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices

The aim of our work was to study the working‐age population's self‐reported physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices. A qualitative method was applied using an open‐ended question in a questionnaire, which included questions about the possible influence of new technical equipment on health. We then created subgroups of respondents for different self‐reported symptoms associated with mobile phones and other electrical devices. The research questions were: (1) how the respondents described physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices and (2) how the answers can be classified into subgroups based on symptoms or devices. We identified the following categories: (1) respondents with different self‐reported symptoms which they associated with using mobile phones (headache, earache, or warmth sensations), (2) respondents who had skin symptoms when they stayed in front of a computer screen, (3) respondents who mentioned physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices. Total prevalence of self‐reported physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices (categories 1 and 2) was 0.7%. In the future it will be possible to obtain new knowledge of these topics by using qualitative methods. Bioelectromagnetics 30:431–437, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Distinct role of ZAP-70 and Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa in the prolonged activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase by the stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha/CXCL12 chemokine

Stimulation of T lymphocytes with the ligand for the CXCR4 chemokine receptor stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha/CXCL12), results in prolonged activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) ERK1 and ERK2. Because SDF-1alpha is unique among several chemokines in its ability to stimulate prolonged ERK activation, this pathway is thought to mediate special functions of SDF-1alpha that are not shared with other chemokines. However, the molecular mechanisms of this response are poorly understood. In this study we show that SDF-1alpha stimulation of prolonged ERK activation in Jurkat T cells requires both the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase and the Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) scaffold protein. This pathway involves ZAP-70-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of SLP-76 at one or more of its tyrosines, 113, 128, and 145. Because TCR activates ERK via SLP-76-mediated activation of the linker of activated T cells (LAT) scaffold protein, we examined the role of LAT in SDF-1alpha-mediated ERK activation. However, neither the SLP-76 proline-rich domain that links to GADS and LAT, nor LAT, itself are required for SDF-1alpha to stimulate SLP-76 tyrosine phosphorylation or to activate ERK. Together, our results describe the distinct mechanism by which SDF-1alpha stimulates prolonged ERK activation in T cells and indicate that this pathway is specific for cells expressing both ZAP-70 and SLP-76.