Changes in numbers and size of synaptic vesicles of cortical neurons induced by exposure to 835 MHz radiofrequency-electromagnetic field

PLoS One. 2017 Oct 18;12(10):e0186416. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186416. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

We studied the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) exposure on neuronal functions of mice. Particularly, we focused on RF-EMF effects on synaptic vesicles (SVs), which store neurotransmitters at axon terminals or synaptic boutons. C57 BL/6 mice were exposed to 835 MHz RF-EMF (4.0 W/kg SAR, for 5 h daily) and alterations in SVs at presynaptic terminals in the cerebral cortex were determined. Ultrastructure of randomly selected cortical neurons was observed using typical electron microscopy and bio-high voltage electron microscopy (Bio-HVEM) methods, which enable the estimation of the numbers and size of SVs. The density of the SVs (number /10 μm2 or 40 μm3) was significantly decreased in the presynaptic boutons of cortical neurons after RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, qPCR and immunoblotting analyses revealed that the expression of synapsins I/II (Syns I/II) genes and proteins were significantly decreased in the cortical neurons of RF-EMF exposed mice. The present study suggested that alteration of SVs and Syn levels may result in alterations of neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex following RF-EMF exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / radiation effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neurons / radiation effects
  • Radio Waves
  • Synaptic Vesicles / physiology*
  • Synaptic Vesicles / radiation effects

Grants and funding

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning (NRF-2014R1A2A2A04003616 to HRK) and Korea Basic Science Institute (T37416, C37964 to YHH). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.