A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures

Radiofrequency fields in the 1–28 GHz range are ubiquitous in the modern world, giving rise to numerous studies of potential health risks such as cancer, neurological conditions, reproductive risks and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. However, results are inconsistent due to a lack of precision in...

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Main Authors: Cyril Dahon, Blanche Aguida, Yoann Lebon, Pierre Le Guen, Art Dangremont, Olivier Meyer, Jean-Marie Citerne, Marootpong Pooam, Haider Raad, Thawatchai Thoradit, Nathalie Jourdan, Federico Bertagna, Margaret Ahmad
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Bioengineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/257
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author Cyril Dahon
Blanche Aguida
Yoann Lebon
Pierre Le Guen
Art Dangremont
Olivier Meyer
Jean-Marie Citerne
Marootpong Pooam
Haider Raad
Thawatchai Thoradit
Nathalie Jourdan
Federico Bertagna
Margaret Ahmad
author_facet Cyril Dahon
Blanche Aguida
Yoann Lebon
Pierre Le Guen
Art Dangremont
Olivier Meyer
Jean-Marie Citerne
Marootpong Pooam
Haider Raad
Thawatchai Thoradit
Nathalie Jourdan
Federico Bertagna
Margaret Ahmad
author_sort Cyril Dahon
collection DOAJ
description Radiofrequency fields in the 1–28 GHz range are ubiquitous in the modern world, giving rise to numerous studies of potential health risks such as cancer, neurological conditions, reproductive risks and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. However, results are inconsistent due to a lack of precision in exposure conditions and vastly differing experimental models, whereas measured RF effects are often indirect and occur over many hours or even days. Here, we present a simplified RF exposure protocol providing a single 1.8 GHz carrier frequency to human HEK293 cell monolayer cultures. A custom-built exposure box and antenna maintained in a fully shielded anechoic chamber emits discrete RF signals which can be precisely characterized and modelled. The chosen amplitudes are non-thermal and fall within the range of modern telecommunication devices. A critical feature of the protocol is that cell cultures are exposed to only a single, short (15 min) RF exposure period, followed by detection of immediate, rapid changes in gene expression. In this way, we show that modulation of genes implicated in oxidative stress and ROS signaling is among the earliest cellular responses to RF exposure. Moreover, these genes respond in complex ways to varying RF signal amplitudes consistent with a hormetic, receptor-driven biological mechanism. We conclude that induction of mild cellular stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a primary response of human cells to RF signals, and that these responses occur at RF signal amplitudes within the range of normal telecommunications devices. We suggest that this method may help provide a guideline for greater reliability and reproducibility of research results between labs, and thereby help resolve existing controversy on underlying mechanisms and outcomes of RF exposure in the general population.
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spelling doaj-art-af0a4b246aee4fe1bf543131e6816a372025-08-20T03:43:21ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-03-0112325710.3390/bioengineering12030257A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell CulturesCyril Dahon0Blanche Aguida1Yoann Lebon2Pierre Le Guen3Art Dangremont4Olivier Meyer5Jean-Marie Citerne6Marootpong Pooam7Haider Raad8Thawatchai Thoradit9Nathalie Jourdan10Federico Bertagna11Margaret Ahmad12Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceInstitut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceLaboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceLaboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceLaboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceLaboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceInstitut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, ThailandEngineering Physics Program, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USAInstitut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceInstitut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceInstitut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceInstitut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université/CNRS, F-75005 Paris, FranceRadiofrequency fields in the 1–28 GHz range are ubiquitous in the modern world, giving rise to numerous studies of potential health risks such as cancer, neurological conditions, reproductive risks and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. However, results are inconsistent due to a lack of precision in exposure conditions and vastly differing experimental models, whereas measured RF effects are often indirect and occur over many hours or even days. Here, we present a simplified RF exposure protocol providing a single 1.8 GHz carrier frequency to human HEK293 cell monolayer cultures. A custom-built exposure box and antenna maintained in a fully shielded anechoic chamber emits discrete RF signals which can be precisely characterized and modelled. The chosen amplitudes are non-thermal and fall within the range of modern telecommunication devices. A critical feature of the protocol is that cell cultures are exposed to only a single, short (15 min) RF exposure period, followed by detection of immediate, rapid changes in gene expression. In this way, we show that modulation of genes implicated in oxidative stress and ROS signaling is among the earliest cellular responses to RF exposure. Moreover, these genes respond in complex ways to varying RF signal amplitudes consistent with a hormetic, receptor-driven biological mechanism. We conclude that induction of mild cellular stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a primary response of human cells to RF signals, and that these responses occur at RF signal amplitudes within the range of normal telecommunications devices. We suggest that this method may help provide a guideline for greater reliability and reproducibility of research results between labs, and thereby help resolve existing controversy on underlying mechanisms and outcomes of RF exposure in the general population.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/257radiofrequency fieldstelecommunicationsreactive oxygen species (ROS)oxidative stressmicrowaveshuman cell culture
spellingShingle Cyril Dahon
Blanche Aguida
Yoann Lebon
Pierre Le Guen
Art Dangremont
Olivier Meyer
Jean-Marie Citerne
Marootpong Pooam
Haider Raad
Thawatchai Thoradit
Nathalie Jourdan
Federico Bertagna
Margaret Ahmad
A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
Bioengineering
radiofrequency fields
telecommunications
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
oxidative stress
microwaves
human cell culture
title A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
title_full A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
title_fullStr A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
title_short A Novel Method for Achieving Precision and Reproducibility in a 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Exposure System That Modulates Intracellular ROS as a Function of Signal Amplitude in Human Cell Cultures
title_sort novel method for achieving precision and reproducibility in a 1 8 ghz radiofrequency exposure system that modulates intracellular ros as a function of signal amplitude in human cell cultures
topic radiofrequency fields
telecommunications
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
oxidative stress
microwaves
human cell culture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/257
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