5G RF-EMFs Mitigate UV-Induced Genotoxic Stress Through Redox Balance and p38 Pathway Regulation in Skin Cells.

Abstract

The biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) remain an unresolved scientific issue with important societal relevance, particularly in the context of the global deployment of fifth-generation (5G) wireless technologies. The skin is continuously exposed to both RF-EMFs and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a well-established inducer of oxidative stress and DNA damage, making it a relevant model for assessing combined environmental exposures. In this study, we investigated whether post-exposure to 5G RF-EMFs (3.5 and 28 GHz) modulates ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced genotoxic stress in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and murine melanoma (B16) cells. Post-UV RF-EMF exposure significantly reduced DNA damage markers, including phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) foci formation (by approximately 30-50%) and comet tail moments (by 60-80%), and suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation (by 56-93%). These effects were accompanied by selective attenuation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation (reduced by 55-85%). The magnitude of molecular protection was comparable to that observed with N-acetylcysteine treatment or pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK. In contrast, RF-EMF exposure did not reverse UV-induced reductions in cell viability or alterations in cell cycle distribution, indicating that its protective effects are confined to early molecular stress-response pathways rather than downstream survival outcomes. Together, these findings demonstrate that 5G RF-EMFs can facilitate recovery from UVA-induced molecular damage via redox-sensitive and p38-dependent mechanisms, providing mechanistic insight into the interaction between modern telecommunication frequencies and UV-induced skin stress.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Post-UVA exposure to 5G RF-EMFs at 3.5 and 28 GHz reduced DNA damage markers (γH2AX foci by ~30–50%; comet tail moments by ~60–80%) and suppressed ROS accumulation (~56–93%), alongside reduced p38 MAPK phosphorylation (~55–85%). RF-EMF exposure did not reverse UVA-induced reductions in cell viability or changes in cell cycle distribution.

Outcomes measured

• UVA-induced DNA damage markers (γH2AX foci)
• Comet assay tail moment
• Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• p38 MAPK phosphorylation
• Cell viability
• Cell cycle distribution

Limitations

• Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract
• Exposure duration/timing details not reported beyond post-UV exposure
• In vitro cell models (HaCaT, B16); generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
• Sample size not reported in abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.6)
  Study explicitly examines 5G RF-EMFs including 28 GHz (mmWave) and 3.5 GHz.

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "5G",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and murine melanoma (B16) cells",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "UVA-induced DNA damage markers (γH2AX foci)",
        "Comet assay tail moment",
        "Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
        "p38 MAPK phosphorylation",
        "Cell viability",
        "Cell cycle distribution"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Post-UVA exposure to 5G RF-EMFs at 3.5 and 28 GHz reduced DNA damage markers (γH2AX foci by ~30–50%; comet tail moments by ~60–80%) and suppressed ROS accumulation (~56–93%), alongside reduced p38 MAPK phosphorylation (~55–85%). RF-EMF exposure did not reverse UVA-induced reductions in cell viability or changes in cell cycle distribution.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure duration/timing details not reported beyond post-UV exposure",
        "In vitro cell models (HaCaT, B16); generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "RF-EMF",
        "3.5 GHz",
        "28 GHz",
        "mmWave",
        "UVA",
        "genotoxic stress",
        "γH2AX",
        "comet assay",
        "ROS",
        "p38 MAPK",
        "HaCaT",
        "B16",
        "skin cells"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study explicitly examines 5G RF-EMFs including 28 GHz (mmWave) and 3.5 GHz."
        }
    ]
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.