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Extremely Low Frequency-Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Affect Proangiogenic-Related Gene Expression in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Publisher



Oladnabi M1, 2 ; Bagheri A3 ; Kanavi MR4 ; Azadmehr A5 ; Kianmehr A6, 7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Stem Cell Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
  2. 2. Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  4. 4. Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Immunology Department, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
  6. 6. Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences Published:2019


Abstract

Objective(s): It is known that extremely low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) influence multiple cellular and molecular processes. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have a significant part in the emergence and pathophysiology of several ocular disorders, such as neovascularization. This study assessed the impact of ELF-PEMF on the proangiogenic features of RPE cells. Materials and Methods: Primary cultured RPE cells were treated with ELF-PEMF (50 Hz) for three days. Using ELISA assay, we evaluated the effects of treatment on RPE cell proliferation and apoptosis. Also, RT-PCR was used to determine the gene expression of proangiogenic factors, such as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factors receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α), VEGFA, cathepsin D, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), E2F3, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), and TIMP-2. Results: No noticeable changes were observed in cell proliferation and cell death of ELF-PEMF-exposed RPE cells, while transcript levels of proangiogenic genes (HIF-1α, VEGFA, VEGFR-2, CTGF, cathepsin D, TIMP-1, E2F3, MMP-2, and MMP-9) increased significantly. Conclusion: RPE cells are important for homeostasis of the retina. ELF-PEMF increased the gene expression of proangiogenic factors in RPE cells, which highlights concerns about the impact of this treatment on human health. © 2019, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.