Radiofrequency regulates the BET-mediated pathways in radial glia differentiation in human cortical development.

Abstract

The human brain represents one of the most complex organs in our body, with development regulated by an intricate genetic program. Recently, non-genetic factors, such as prenatal stress, infection, and diet, have been shown to influence brain development. Radiofrequency radiation (RF; 800-2,400 MHz), emitted by natural and artificial sources such as microwaves and cell phones, represents a non-invasive environmental factor. Using human cortical organoids (hCOs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we investigate RF's effects on corticogenesis. We find that RF exposure regulates the differentiation of human and non-human primate radial glia progenitors, maintaining stem cell identity and delaying differentiation. Neurons differentiated under RF treatment show induction of expression of human endogenous retroviruses. Importantly, inhibitors for the BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) protein rescue RF-induced developmental defects in hCOs. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which RF modulates early brain development, offering a non-biological approach to regulate neural stem cell self-renewal.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In human cortical organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells, radiofrequency (800–2,400 MHz) exposure regulated differentiation of human and non-human primate radial glia progenitors, maintaining stem cell identity and delaying differentiation. Neurons differentiated under RF treatment showed induction of human endogenous retrovirus expression, and BET protein inhibitors rescued RF-induced developmental defects in the organoids.

Outcomes measured

• radial glia progenitor differentiation
• stem cell identity/self-renewal
• timing of differentiation (delayed differentiation)
• expression of human endogenous retroviruses
• BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) protein pathway involvement
• corticogenesis in human cortical organoids

Limitations

• Model system is human cortical organoids (in vitro), not an in vivo human study
• Exposure metrics such as SAR and exposure duration are not reported in the abstract
• Sample size and replication details are not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• mechanisms-rf (0.78)
  Mechanistic findings linking RF exposure to BET-mediated pathways and differentiation changes in cortical organoids.

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    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "microwaves and cell phones",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "radial glia progenitor differentiation",
        "stem cell identity/self-renewal",
        "timing of differentiation (delayed differentiation)",
        "expression of human endogenous retroviruses",
        "BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) protein pathway involvement",
        "corticogenesis in human cortical organoids"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In human cortical organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells, radiofrequency (800–2,400 MHz) exposure regulated differentiation of human and non-human primate radial glia progenitors, maintaining stem cell identity and delaying differentiation. Neurons differentiated under RF treatment showed induction of human endogenous retrovirus expression, and BET protein inhibitors rescued RF-induced developmental defects in the organoids.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Model system is human cortical organoids (in vitro), not an in vivo human study",
        "Exposure metrics such as SAR and exposure duration are not reported in the abstract",
        "Sample size and replication details are not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "800-2,400 MHz",
        "human cortical organoids",
        "human embryonic stem cells",
        "radial glia",
        "corticogenesis",
        "stem cell identity",
        "differentiation delay",
        "human endogenous retroviruses",
        "BET proteins",
        "bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitors"
    ],
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