INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN LEUKEMIC-CELLS BY MAGNETIC-FIELDS

When human myelogenous leukemic cell lines, HL-60 and ML-I, were expos ed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs), nucleosome-sized DNA fragme ntation (a biochemical marker of apoptosis) was induced as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. However, EMFs could not induce detectabl e DNA fragmentation in either human peripheral blood leukocytes or pol ymorphonuclear cells. The minimum exposure period required for the ons et of DNA fragmentation in leukemic cells was 1.0 h. Although adverse effects of EMFs on human health have been reported, the apoptosis-indu cing action of EMFs on leukemic cells may suggest a possible medical a pplication.