A review on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity.

Author: Mahaki H1,2, Tanzadehpanah H2, Jabarivasal N3, Sardanian K1,2, Zamani A1,4
Affiliation:
1a Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan , Iran.
2b Research Center for Molecular Medicine , Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan , Iran.
3c Department of Medical Physics , Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan , Iran.
4d Molecular Immunology Research Group, Research Center for Molecular Medicine , Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Hamadan , Iran.
Conference/Journal: Electromagn Biol Med.
Date published: 2018 Dec 6
Other: Volume ID: 1-12 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545668. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 161


Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is produced extensively in modern technologies. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that ELF-EMF has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the immune system response. This review was conducted on effects of ELF-EMF on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity. Mechanisms of ELF-EMF, which may modulate immune cell responses, were also studied. Physical and biological parameters of ELF-EMF can interact with each other to create beneficial or harmful effect on the immune cell responses by interfering with the inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines. According to the studies, it is supposed that short-term (2-24 h/d up to a week) exposure of ELF-EMF with strong density may increase innate immune response due to an increase of innate immunity cytokines. Furthermore, long-term (2-24 h/d up to 8 years) exposure to low-density ELF-EMF may cause a decrease in adaptive immune response, especially in Th1 subset.

KEYWORDS: Immune system; cytokine; extremely low frequency electromagnetic field

PMID: 30518268 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545668

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