Nonlinear determinism in the immune system. In vivo influence of electromagnetic fields on different functions of murine lymphocyte subpopulations.

Abstract

Animal studies of the effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the immune system appear inconsistent, and recent evidence indicates that inconspicuous experimental problems are not responsible. We hypothesized that the inconsistencies resulted from use of linear methods and models to study inherently nonlinear input-output relationships. Using a novel analytical method, we found that exposure of mice to 5 G, 60 Hz, for 1-105 days in 6 independent experiments consistently affected a broad panel of immune variables when and only when the reaction of the immune system was modeled to allow the possibility of nonlinearity in the relationship between the field and the immune variables. It was possible to mimic the pattern observed in the immune data by sampling from a known chaotic system, suggesting the possibility that the observed pattern was the result of intrinsic nonlinear regulatory mechanisms in the immune system. Overall, the results suggested that lymphoid sub-populations were vulnerable to the physiological consequences of EMF transduction, that it may never be possible to predict specific changes in particular immune-system variables, and that the underlying behavior of the immune system (that which occurs in the absence of specific inputs) may be governed by laws that manifest extreme sensitivity to prior states.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 6 independent experiments, mice exposed to 5 G, 60 Hz EMF for 1–105 days showed consistent effects across a broad panel of immune variables when the immune response was modeled allowing nonlinear relationships between field exposure and immune variables. The observed immune data patterns could be mimicked by sampling from a known chaotic system, which the authors interpret as consistent with intrinsic nonlinear regulatory mechanisms.

Outcomes measured

• Broad panel of immune variables
• Functions of murine lymphocyte subpopulations

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Specific immune variables and direction/magnitude of changes not detailed in abstract
• Findings depend on use of a novel nonlinear analytical/modeling approach; results under linear models are implied to be inconsistent or not detected
• Mechanistic interpretation (chaos/nonlinear regulation) is suggestive rather than directly demonstrated in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.25)
  Exposure level described in gauss at 60 Hz could be relevant to ELF exposure contexts, though no specific source is stated.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.059999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1-105 days"
    },
    "population": "Mice (murine lymphocyte subpopulations)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Broad panel of immune variables",
        "Functions of murine lymphocyte subpopulations"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 6 independent experiments, mice exposed to 5 G, 60 Hz EMF for 1–105 days showed consistent effects across a broad panel of immune variables when the immune response was modeled allowing nonlinear relationships between field exposure and immune variables. The observed immune data patterns could be mimicked by sampling from a known chaotic system, which the authors interpret as consistent with intrinsic nonlinear regulatory mechanisms.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Specific immune variables and direction/magnitude of changes not detailed in abstract",
        "Findings depend on use of a novel nonlinear analytical/modeling approach; results under linear models are implied to be inconsistent or not detected",
        "Mechanistic interpretation (chaos/nonlinear regulation) is suggestive rather than directly demonstrated in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "60 Hz",
        "5 G",
        "mouse",
        "immune system",
        "lymphocytes",
        "nonlinear dynamics",
        "chaos",
        "in vivo"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Exposure level described in gauss at 60 Hz could be relevant to ELF exposure contexts, though no specific source is stated."
        }
    ]
}

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