Influence of 864 MHz electromagnetic field on growth kinetics of established cell line

Considering often contradictory data on biological effects of mobile phones frequencies on established cell culture lines, our study aimed at evaluating the influence of 864 MHz electromagnetic field on proliferation, colony forming ability and viability of Chinese hamster lung cells continuous line V79. Prior to exposure for 1, 2 and 3 hours in transversal electromagnetic mode cell (TEM-cell) equipped by Philips PM 5508 signal generator cell samples were sub-cultivated for one day. Cell samples were exposed to 864 MHz continuous wave at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.08 W/kg. To determine cell growth, V79 cells were plated in concentration of 1 × 104 cells per milliliter of nutrient medium RPMI 1640, and raised in a humified atmosphere at 37°C in 5% CO2. Cell proliferation was determined by cell counts for each hour of exposure on post-exposure day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. To identify colony-forming ability, cells were cultivated in concentration of 40 cells/mL of RPMI 1640 and incubated according to the deliberated experimental protocol. Colony forming ability for each hour of exposure was defined by colony counts on experimental day 7. Trypan blue exclusion test was used to determine viability of cells. In comparison to sham-exposed cells, growth curve of irradiated cell samples showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) after 2 and 3 hours of exposure on experimental day 3, respectively. Both, the colony forming ability and viability of irradiated cells did not significantly differ from exposed “mock” condition. Under strictly controlled laboratory conditions, applied radiofrequency microwaves (RF/MW) irradiation significantly affected cell proliferation kinetics but not viability or ability of V79 cells to form colonies. Sophisticated mechanism of action is intending to be elucidated in the further research which will include insight into the RF/MW related event at the subcellular level.