Biological effects of in vitro THz radiation exposure in human foetal fibroblasts

Publication date: Available online 9 June 2015 Source:Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis Author(s): Andrea De Amicis , Stefania De Sanctis , Sara Di Cristofaro , Valeria Franchini , Florigio Lista , Elisa Regalbuto , Emilio Giovenale , Gian Piero Gallerano , Paolo Nenzi , Roberto Bei , Massimo Fantini , Monica Benvenuto , Laura Masuelli , Elisa Coluzzi , Cristina Cicia , Antonella Sgura In recent years, terahertz (THz) radiation has been widely used in a variety of applications: medical, security, telecommunications and military areas. However, few data are available on the biological effects of this type of electromagnetic radiation and the reported results, using different genetic or cellular assays, are quite discordant. This multidisciplinary study focuses on potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, evaluated by several end-points, associated with THz radiation. For this purpose, in vitro exposure of human foetal fibroblasts to low frequency THz radiation (0.1–0.15THz) was performed using a Compact Free Electron Laser. We did not observe an induction of DNA damage evaluated by Comet assay, phosphorylation of H2AX histone or telomere length modulation. In addiction, no induction of apoptosis or changes in pro-survival signalling proteins were detected. Moreover, our results indicated an increase in the total number of micronuclei and centromere positive micronuclei induction evaluated by CREST analysis, indicating tha...
Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research