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Electromagnetic field effects on cells of the immune system: the role of calcium signaling 1
Author(s) -
Walleczek Jan
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.6.13.1397839
Subject(s) - immune system , electromagnetic field , extremely low frequency , microbiology and biotechnology , calcium signaling , calcium , in vitro , signal transduction , biology , physics , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
During the past decade considerable evidence has accumulated demonstrating that nonthermal exposures of cells of the immune system to extremely low‐frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (< 300 Hz) can elicit cellular changes that might be relevant to in vivo immune activity. A similar responsiveness to nonionizing electromagnetic energy in this frequency range has also been documented for tissues of the neuroendocrine and musculoskeletal system. However, knowledge about the underlying biological mechanisms by which such fields can induce cellular changes is still very limited. It is generally believed that the cell membrane and Ca 2+ ‐regulated activity is involved in bioactive ELF field coupling to living systems. This article begins with a short review of the current state of knowledge concerning the effects of nonthermal levels of ELF electromagnetic fields on the biochemistry and activity of immune cells and then closely examines new results that suggest a role for Ca 2+ in the induction of these cellular field effects. Based on these findings it is proposed that membrane‐mediated Ca 2+ signaling processes are involved in the mediation of field effects on the immune system.— Walleczek, J. Electromagnetic field effects on cells of the immune system: the role of calcium signaling. FASEB J. 6: 3177‐3185; 1992.