EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC-RADIATION AT 835 MHZ ON GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY AND SECRETORY CHARACTERISTICS OF A MAST-CELL ANALOG, RBL-2H3

A mast cell line, RBL-2H3, was exposed to 835 MHz for 20 minutes, thre e times per day for 7 days at a power density of 8.1 +/- 3 mW/cm(2). F rom day 4 onwards, it was observed that the rate of DNA synthesis and cell replication increased, that actin distribution and cell morpholog y became altered, and the amount of beta-hexosaminidase (a marker of g ranule secretion) released in response to a calcium ionophore was sign ificantly enhanced, in comparison to unexposed cultures. There were no effects seen on levels of cytoskeletal protein synthesis or of beta-a ctin mRNA. Morphological changes persisted following subculture for at least 7 days in the absence of further exposure. It is hypothesized t hat effects of exposure to an electromagnetic field at 835 MHz may be mediated via a signal transduction pathway. (C) 1997 Academic Press Li mited.