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Influence of GSM signals on isolated human blood. B. Differential gene expression |
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Topic Influence of GSM signals on isolated human blood. Start 01.08.2005 End 31.01.2008 Project Management Fraunhofer Institut für Toxikologie und Experimentelle Medizin, Hannover Objective The aim of the study is a broad examination of possible influences of GSM Signals on differential gene expression detected on mRNA-level in a study meeting quantitative and qualitative requirements. Microarrays covering the human genome were used, significant changes detected with micro arrays were verified by RT-PCR and further analyzed on the protein level. Results Blood samples were taken from 10 male and 10 female donors from age group 18-22 years (male/female juvenile = MJ, FJ) and from 10 male and 10 female donors from age group 50-60 years (male/female adult = MA, FA). Human peripheral lymphocytes were exposed to GSM-Mobile phone signals SAR 0 (sham control), 0.2, 2 and 5 W/kg for a) 1 h and b) 48 h. Exposure to GSM-signals resulted in a limited number of regulated genes as determined by microarray analysis (Affymetrix Human Genome Array "genome U133 Plus 2.0", representing > 47.000 transcript-variants of the human genome). Among the 84 significantly regulated genes 65 were regulated in one of the donor groups (MJ, FJ, MA, FA) only. 12 Genes were regulated in 2 groups, 3 genes in 3 and only 4 Genes (RBM3, SLC16A6, SLC5A3 and HIST1H2AC) were regulated significantly with a fold change of >1.5 for induced or <1.5 for reduced genes respectively in all groups. At the lowest SAR of 0.2 W/kg the expression of none of the genes was significantly changed, in none of the donor groups, neither at 1 h nor at 48 h exposure. Significant changes in gene expression in more than one donor group was only observed at the highest exposure with 5 W/kg, but it was not possible to detect a pattern of changes in gene expression which could be interpreted as an indication for adverse effects of the RF-exposure on human blood cells. Based on the results of this study, no age or gender effect was determined. Only the duration of cell culture influenced the gene expression pattern, but this effect was independent of exposure. The results of the microarrays were validated for 20 genes with RT-PCR. On the protein-level 16 proteins were additionally examined in western blots. Most of them were not regulated, some showed changes in expression, but only in a single group or at single SAR values. No dose-dependent changes in expression or changes considered as biologically relevant could be found.The final report including a short summary in English with Appendices 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 are available as PDF-files in German:
Final Report (1360 KB) Conclusion No changes in gene expression patterns indicating adverse effects of GSM exposure to human peripheral lymphocytes at exposure levels below recommendation values were found. |