Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Apr 2021)

1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Impairs Neurite Outgrowth Through Inhibiting EPHA5 Signaling

  • Chunhai Chen,
  • Chunhai Chen,
  • Qinglong Ma,
  • Qinglong Ma,
  • Ping Deng,
  • Ping Deng,
  • Min Lin,
  • Peng Gao,
  • Peng Gao,
  • Mindi He,
  • Mindi He,
  • Yonghui Lu,
  • Yonghui Lu,
  • Huifeng Pi,
  • Huifeng Pi,
  • Zhixin He,
  • Chao Zhou,
  • Yanwen Zhang,
  • Yanwen Zhang,
  • Zhengping Yu,
  • Zhengping Yu,
  • Lei Zhang,
  • Lei Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.657623
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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The increasing intensity of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) has increased public concern about its health effects. Of particular concern are the influences of RF-EMF exposure on the development of the brain. The mechanisms of how RF-EMF acts on the developing brain are not fully understood. Here, based on high-throughput RNA sequencing techniques, we revealed that transcripts related to neurite development were significantly influenced by 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure during neuronal differentiation. Exposure to RF-EMF remarkably decreased the total length of neurite and the number of branch points in neural stem cells-derived neurons and retinoic acid-induced Neuro-2A cells. The expression of Eph receptors 5 (EPHA5), which is required for neurite outgrowth, was inhibited remarkably after RF-EMF exposure. Enhancing EPHA5 signaling rescued the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Besides, we identified that cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and RhoA were critical downstream factors of EPHA5 signaling in mediating the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Together, our finding revealed that RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth through EPHA5 signaling. This finding explored the effects and key mechanisms of how RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth and also provided a new clue to understanding the influences of RF-EMF on brain development.

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