Electromagnetic field affects the voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv1.3.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Theoretical and experimental evidences support the hypothesis that Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) can modulate voltage-gated channels. In this work we investigated the effect of ELF-EMF on K1.3, a member of the family of the voltage-gated potassium channels that is thought to be involved in key physiological functions, including the regulation of T-cells activation during the immune response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: K1.3 expressing CHO-K1 cells were exposed to a 20 Hz electromagnetic field at two different intensities: 268 μT and 902 μT. K1.3 potassium currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp before, during and after field exposure. RESULTS: We found that the K1.3 current was increased significantly by the ELF-EMF in a subpopulation of CHO-K1 cells. The increase developed after a few seconds from the start of exposure, reached a steady-state and took several minutes to return to the baseline after field removal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that K1.3 may mediate interactions between ELF-EMF and living cells, disclosing new research opportunities on the molecular mechanisms with which electromagnetic fields affect physiological and pathological processes, including immunomodulation, inflammation and cancer.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Exposure to a 20 Hz electromagnetic field (268 μT or 902 μT) significantly increased the Kv1.3 (K1.3) current in a subpopulation of CHO-K1 cells. The increase appeared within seconds of exposure onset, reached a steady state, and returned to baseline over several minutes after field removal.

Outcomes measured

• Kv1.3 (K1.3) potassium current amplitude (whole-cell patch-clamp)

Limitations

• In vitro cell model (CHO-K1) may not generalize to in vivo physiology
• Effect reported only in a subpopulation of cells (heterogeneous response)
• Exposure duration and other exposure conditions not specified in the abstract
• Sample size not reported in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• elf-emf (0.9)
  Study tests extremely low-frequency EMF (20 Hz) effects on a voltage-gated ion channel in vitro.
• mechanisms-ion-channels (0.85)
  Primary outcome is modulation of a voltage-dependent potassium channel current (Kv1.3) measured by patch-clamp.

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    "exposure": {
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    "population": "Kv1.3-expressing CHO-K1 cells",
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    "outcomes": [
        "Kv1.3 (K1.3) potassium current amplitude (whole-cell patch-clamp)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Exposure to a 20 Hz electromagnetic field (268 μT or 902 μT) significantly increased the Kv1.3 (K1.3) current in a subpopulation of CHO-K1 cells. The increase appeared within seconds of exposure onset, reached a steady state, and returned to baseline over several minutes after field removal.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro cell model (CHO-K1) may not generalize to in vivo physiology",
        "Effect reported only in a subpopulation of cells (heterogeneous response)",
        "Exposure duration and other exposure conditions not specified in the abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract"
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
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        "902 μT",
        "Kv1.3",
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        "voltage-gated potassium channel",
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        "CHO-K1 cells",
        "T-cell activation",
        "immunomodulation"
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}

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