Microwaves (2,450 MHz) suppress murine natural killer cell activity

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250040408· OSTI ID:7133086

Smialowicz, R J; Rogers, R R; Garner, R J; Riddle, M M; Luebke, R W; Rowe, D G

The effect of 2,450-MHz CW microwaves on natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogen stimulation was studied in mice. Groups of mice were irradiated at power densities of 5, 15, or 30 mW/cm2 (SAR . 3.5, 10.5, and 21 W/kg respectively) for 1.5 h on 2 or 9 consecutive days. NK cell activity was determined using an in vitro 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay and an in vivo tumor-cell clearance assay. No consistent change was observed in the mitogen response of spleen cells from sham compared with irradiated mice. A significant suppression of NK cell activity measured in vitro was observed for mice irradiated at 30 mW/cm2, but not at 15 or 5 mW/cm2. A significant suppression of NK cell activity, as determined using the in vivo tumor clearance assay, was also observed at 30 mW/cm2. NK cell activity, as determined using the in vitro assay, returned to normal within 24 h following the last irradiation. Treatment of mice with hydrocortisone caused suppression of NK cell activity measured in vitro and in vivo. Paradoxically, peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis was enhanced following irradiation at 30 mW/cm2, the power density at which NK activity was suppressed. The possible role that microwave heating plays in producing these effects is discussed.

• Research Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
• OSTI ID: 7133086
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN BLCTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOASSAY
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CELL CULTURES
CELL KILLING
CHROMIUM 51
CHROMIUM ISOTOPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
KINETICS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MICE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NUCLEI
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTION KINETICS
RODENTS
SPLEEN
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VERTEBRATES