The proliferation rates of HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells can be accelerated or inhibited by weak static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields

Abstract

Category: Cell Biology Tags: electromagnetic fields, cell proliferation, HT-1080, fibrosarcoma, static magnetic field, low frequency magnetic fields, bioenergetics DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1535155 URL: frontiersin.org Introduction Weak static and low-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) have been hypothesized to influence biological systems through mechanisms involving nuclear spin coupling. This study investigates how such fields modulate the proliferation of HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Methods - HT-1080 cells were exposed in vitro for 4 days to weak MFs with a 10 μT amplitude and frequencies between 12 Hz and 33 Hz, superimposed on a 45 μT static background field. - Changes in cell growth, mitochondrial superoxide (O2-), calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations, and membrane potential were measured. Results - MFs could either increase or decrease fibrosarcoma cell growth in a frequency- and amplitude-dependent manner. - Inversions in growth rates were observed near 16.5 Hz, where a 0.5 Hz shift or amplitude changes as small as 250 nT reversed effects relative to controls. - Reversing the static field direction also inverted growth outcomes. - Changes in membrane potential, Ca2+, and mitochondrial superoxide levels supported a role for bioenergetic modulation. Discussion These findings suggest that weak MFs affect cell proliferation through spin-dependent chemical reaction rate changes. The pronounced sensitivity of fibrosarcoma cells compared to normal fibroblasts points to potential therapeutic applications via selective MF-based modulation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells exposed for 4 days to weak magnetic fields (10 μT; 12–33 Hz) superimposed on a 45 μT static background showed frequency- and amplitude-dependent changes in growth, with effects that could be either increased or decreased relative to controls. Growth-rate inversions were reported near 16.5 Hz with small frequency shifts (0.5 Hz) or amplitude changes (~250 nT), and reversing the static field direction also inverted growth outcomes; accompanying changes in membrane potential, Ca2+, and mitochondrial superoxide were reported.

Outcomes measured

• cell proliferation/growth
• mitochondrial superoxide (O2-)
• intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration
• membrane potential

Limitations

• In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or in vivo conditions
• Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
• Exposure characterization beyond stated amplitudes/frequencies (e.g., field uniformity, dosimetry details) not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• elf-emf (0.9)
  Study examines extremely low frequency magnetic fields (12–33 Hz) and biological effects.
• static-magnetic-fields (0.75)
  Exposure includes a 45 μT static background field and tests static field direction reversal.

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        "mitochondrial superoxide",
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