Exposure to the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field induces changes in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the endometrium.

Abstract

Increasing technological development results in more sources of the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF), which is recognized as an environmental risk factor. The results of the past study indicate that the ELF-EMF can affect the level of DNA methylation. The study aimed to determine whether the ELF-EMF induces changes in epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the endometrium of pigs during the peri-implantation period. Endometrial slices (100 ± 5 mg) collected on days 15-16 of pregnancy were exposed in vitro to the ELF-EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz for 2 h of treatment duration. To determine the impact of the ELF-EMF on elements of epigenetic regulations involved in DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA biogenesis in the endometrium, the DNMT1 and DNMT3a; EZH2, UHRF1, and MBD1; DICER1 and DGCR8 mRNA transcript and protein abundance were analyzed using Real-Time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, EED and SUZ12 mRNA transcript, global DNA methylation, and the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) were analyzed. The changes in the abundance of DNMT1 and DNMT3a, EZH2 mRNA transcript and protein, EED and SUZ12 mRNA transcript, global DNA methylation level, HDAC activity, and the abundance of proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis evoked by the ELF-EMF in the endometrium were observed. The ELF-EMF possesses the potential to alter epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the porcine endometrium. Observed alterations may be the reason for changes in the transcriptomic profile of the endometrium exposed to the ELF-EMF which in turn may disrupt biological processes in the uterus during peri-implantation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Endometrial slices exposed in vitro to 50 Hz ELF-EMF for 2 hours showed changes in DNMT1 and DNMT3a abundance, EZH2 mRNA and protein, EED and SUZ12 mRNA, global DNA methylation level, HDAC activity, and proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis. The authors conclude ELF-EMF has the potential to alter epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the porcine endometrium.

Outcomes measured

• mRNA transcript and protein abundance of DNMT1, DNMT3a, EZH2, UHRF1, MBD1, DICER1, DGCR8
• mRNA transcript abundance of EED and SUZ12
• Global DNA methylation level
• Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity

Limitations

• In vitro study using endometrial slices; may not reflect in vivo exposure conditions or whole-organism outcomes
• Exposure intensity/dose metrics (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract
• Sample size and replication details not provided in abstract
• Endpoints are molecular/epigenetic markers; no direct reproductive or clinical outcomes reported

Suggested hubs

• elf-emf (0.9)
  Study examines extremely low-frequency EMF exposure at 50 Hz and epigenetic endpoints.

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 5.00000000000000023960868011929647991564706899225711822509765625e-5,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h"
    },
    "population": "Porcine (pig) endometrial slices collected on days 15–16 of pregnancy (peri-implantation period)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "mRNA transcript and protein abundance of DNMT1, DNMT3a, EZH2, UHRF1, MBD1, DICER1, DGCR8",
        "mRNA transcript abundance of EED and SUZ12",
        "Global DNA methylation level",
        "Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Endometrial slices exposed in vitro to 50 Hz ELF-EMF for 2 hours showed changes in DNMT1 and DNMT3a abundance, EZH2 mRNA and protein, EED and SUZ12 mRNA, global DNA methylation level, HDAC activity, and proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis. The authors conclude ELF-EMF has the potential to alter epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the porcine endometrium.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro study using endometrial slices; may not reflect in vivo exposure conditions or whole-organism outcomes",
        "Exposure intensity/dose metrics (e.g., field strength) not reported in abstract",
        "Sample size and replication details not provided in abstract",
        "Endpoints are molecular/epigenetic markers; no direct reproductive or clinical outcomes reported"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "endometrium",
        "pig",
        "peri-implantation",
        "DNA methylation",
        "DNMT1",
        "DNMT3a",
        "EZH2",
        "EED",
        "SUZ12",
        "HDAC",
        "microRNA biogenesis",
        "DICER1",
        "DGCR8",
        "epigenetics"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "slug": "elf-emf",
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            "reason": "Study examines extremely low-frequency EMF exposure at 50 Hz and epigenetic endpoints."
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    ]
}

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