Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) induce in vitro angiogenesis process in human endothelial cells

Effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on activation of angiogenesis were analysed using cultured umbilical human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cultures were exposed to a sinusoidal EMF to intensity of 1 mT, 50 Hz for up to 12 h. EMFs increased the degree of en...

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Published in:Bioelectromagnetics 2008-12, Vol.29 (8), p.640-648
Main Authors: Delle Monache, Simona, Alessandro, Riccardo, Iorio, Roberto, Gualtieri, Giancaterino, Colonna, Rosella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cells, Cultured
cytoskeleton organization
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Electricity
Electromagnetic Fields
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) effects
Endothelial Cells - cytology
Endothelial Cells - physiology
Endothelial Cells - radiation effects
Humans
HUVECs
Neovascularization, Physiologic - physiology
Neovascularization, Physiologic - radiation effects
Radiation Dosage
therapeutic angiogenesis
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Summary:Effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on activation of angiogenesis were analysed using cultured umbilical human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cultures were exposed to a sinusoidal EMF to intensity of 1 mT, 50 Hz for up to 12 h. EMFs increased the degree of endothelial cell proliferation and tubule formation, coupled by an acceleration in the process of wound healing. Since this process is physiologically accompanied by a large modification in the structural organization of actin and focal adhesions, we analyzed the rearrangement of some cytoskeleton elements demonstrating a major reorganization of the fibres and of the focal adhesion complexes after EMF exposure. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in phosphorylation as well as the overall expression of VEGF receptor 2 (KDR/Flk‐1) suggesting that EMFs may modulate in vitro some endothelial functions correlated to angiogenesis through signal transduction pathways dependent on VEGF. Bioelectromagnetics 29:640–648, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0197-8462
1521-186X
DOI:10.1002/bem.20430