Expression and Activity of the Transcription Factor CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Is Regulated by Specific Pulse-Modulated Radio Frequencies in Oligodendroglial Cells

Abstract

The rapid growth of wireless electronic devices has raised concerns about the harmful effects of leaked electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on human health. Even though numerous studies have been carried out to explore the biological effects of EMR, no clear conclusions have been drawn about the effect of radio frequency (RF) EMR on oligodendrocytes. To this end, we exposed oligodendroglia and three other types of brain cells to 2.4 GHz EMR for 6 or 48 h at an average input power of 1 W in either a continuous wave (CW-RF) or a pulse-modulated wave (PW-RF, 50 Hz pulse frequency, 1/3 duty cycle) pattern. RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were used to examine the expression of C/EBPβ and its related genes. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to examine the levels of expression of C/EBPβ-interacting proteins. Our results showed that PW-RF EMR significantly increased the mRNA level of C/EBPβ in oligodendroglia but not in other types of cells. In addition, the expression of three isoforms and several interacting proteins and targeted genes of C/EBPβ were markedly changed after 6-h PW-RF but not CW-RF. Our results indicated that RF EMR regulated the expression and functions of C/EBPβ in a waveform- and cell-type-dependent manner.