Propagation of THz Irradiation Energy Through Aqueous Layers: Demolition of Actin Filaments in Living Cells

Abstract

Propagation of THz Irradiation Energy Through Aqueous Layers: Demolition of Actin Filaments in Living Cells Shota Yamazaki, Masahiko Harata, Yuya Ueno, Masaaki Tsubouchi, Keiji Konagaya, Yuichi Ogawa, Goro Isoyama, Chiko Otani, Hiromichi Hoshina. Propagation of THz Irradiation Energy Through Aqueous Layers: Demolition of Actin Filaments in Living Cells. Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 2;10(1):9008. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65955-5. Abstract The effect of terahertz (THz) radiation on deep tissues of human body has been considered negligible due to strong absorption by water molecules. However, we observed that the energy of THz pulses transmits a millimeter thick in the aqueous solution, possibly as a shockwave, and demolishes actin filaments. Collapse of actin filament induced by THz irradiation was also observed in the living cells under an aqueous medium. We also confirmed that the viability of the cell was not affected under the exposure of THz pulses. The potential of THz waves as an invasive method to alter protein structure in the living cells is demonstrated. Open access paper: nature.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The authors report that THz pulse energy transmitted through a millimeter-thick aqueous solution (possibly as a shockwave) and demolished actin filaments. Actin filament collapse was also observed in living cells under an aqueous medium, while cell viability was reported as not affected under THz pulse exposure.

Outcomes measured

• Actin filament collapse/demolition
• Transmission/propagation of THz pulse energy through millimeter-thick aqueous solution (possibly as a shockwave)
• Cell viability under THz pulse exposure

Limitations

• No exposure parameters reported in the abstract (e.g., frequency, power density, SAR, pulse characteristics, duration).
• Sample size and experimental replication not described in the abstract.
• Mechanism described as "possibly as a shockwave" (uncertain in abstract).

Suggested hubs

• 5g-mmwave (0.55)
  Study concerns terahertz radiation, adjacent to mmWave/upper-frequency discussions, though not explicitly 5G.

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    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "THz",
        "source": "terahertz pulses",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Living cells under an aqueous medium (also experiments in aqueous solution)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Actin filament collapse/demolition",
        "Transmission/propagation of THz pulse energy through millimeter-thick aqueous solution (possibly as a shockwave)",
        "Cell viability under THz pulse exposure"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The authors report that THz pulse energy transmitted through a millimeter-thick aqueous solution (possibly as a shockwave) and demolished actin filaments. Actin filament collapse was also observed in living cells under an aqueous medium, while cell viability was reported as not affected under THz pulse exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No exposure parameters reported in the abstract (e.g., frequency, power density, SAR, pulse characteristics, duration).",
        "Sample size and experimental replication not described in the abstract.",
        "Mechanism described as \"possibly as a shockwave\" (uncertain in abstract)."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "terahertz",
        "THz pulses",
        "aqueous solution",
        "shockwave",
        "actin filaments",
        "cytoskeleton",
        "cell viability",
        "living cells"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-mmwave",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Study concerns terahertz radiation, adjacent to mmWave/upper-frequency discussions, though not explicitly 5G."
        }
    ]
}

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