Millimeter waves enhance delayed-type hypersensitivity in mouse skin

The effect of millimeter electromagnetic waves on T-cell-mediated immunity was studied. A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay in mouse skin was used to measure this effect. Development of the DTH reaction in mouse or hu man skin has been shown to involve antigen-specific, T-cell-mediated, memor y-dependent immunity. The DTH reaction in mouse skin was induced by topical application of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and quantified by measuring the increase in ear thickness. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in ear thickness was observed in irradiated animals compared with sham con trols. The present study shows that irradiation of skin with 42.2 or 53.6 G Hz millimeter waves at power greater than or equal to 15.3 mW (specific abs orption rate greater than or equal to 296 W/kg) enhances DTH-mediated immun ity. Conversely, no effect of millimeter waves was observed on irritant con tact sensitivity, which, unlike DTH, is an immune reaction that does not in volve an antigen-specific memory response.