Gene expression changes in human cells after exposure to mobile phone microwaves.

Possible biological effects of mobile phone microwaves were investigated in vitro. In this study, which was part of the 5FP EU project REFLEX (Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards From Low-Energy Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods), six human cell types, immortalized cell lines and primary cells, were exposed to 900 and 1800 MHz. RNA was isolated from exposed and sham-exposed cells and labeled for transcriptome analysis on whole-genome cDNA arrays.

Applicability of discovery science approach to determine biological effects of mobile phone radiation.

We argue that the use of high-throughput screening techniques, although expensive and laborious, is justified and necessary in studies that examine biological effects of mobile phone radiation. The "case of hsp27 protein" presented here suggests that even proteins with only modestly altered (by exposure to mobile phone radiation) expression and activity might have an impact on cell physiology. However, this short communication does not attempt to present the full scientific evidence that is far too large to be presented in a single article and that is being prepared for publication in three separate research articles.

Non-thermal activation of the hsp27/p38MAPK stress pathway by mobile phone radiation in human endothelial cells: molecular mechanism for cancer- and blood-brain barrier-related effects.

We have examined whether non-thermal exposures of cultures of the human endothelial cell line EA.hy926 to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone microwave radiation could activate stress response. Results obtained demonstrate that 1-hour non-thermal exposure of EA.

Podocalyxin in rat platelets and megakaryocytes.

Podocalyxin is a membrane protein of rat podocytes and endothelial cells. It has not been described in other cell types, and no amino acid or DNA sequence data are available about it. Here we show that podocalyxin antigens are present in rat platelets and megakaryocytes.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of p72syk induced by anti-9-O-acetyl GD3 antibodies in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We have previously shown that a subpopulation of peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells are strongly positive for the ganglioside 9-O-acetyl GD3. Treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with monoclonal anti-9-O-acetyl GD3 antibodies (MoAb 27A) induced a dose-dependent proliferative response in the cells. Here we show that binding of 27A IgG to PBMC induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of p72syk and mobilization of phosphoinositides.

Morphologic changes suggesting abnormal renal differentiation in congenital nephrotic syndrome.

Retrograde differentiation (or dedifferentiation) has recently been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism involved also in various renal diseases. Here we studied whether evidence of these mechanisms can be found in the kidneys of patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF). These patients show isolated massive proteinuria but no primary symptoms from any other organ systems.

Decrease of glomerular disialogangliosides in puromycin nephrosis of the rat.

Puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN) is a model for human minimal change nephropathy induced in rats by injection of puromycin. In PAN, defective sialylation of a major sialoprotein of podocytes, podocalyxin, has been demonstrated and the consequent decrease of anionic charge suggested as a causative factor for increased glomerular permeability and proteinuria. Whether defective sialylation is a general feature of PAN affecting also glomerular glycosphingolipids is not known.

Characterization of a rat glomerular visceral epithelial cell line.

Cultures of glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) are currently used to identify important cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. However, there is still controversy in the literature as to the visceral or parietal origin of cultured GEC. Our aim was to firmly establish the nature of a GEC cell line.

O-acetyl GD3 ganglioside in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

O-acetyl GD3 ganglioside is a cell surface molecule of some neural, neural crest and renal cells. Here we show, by using mAbs specific for O-acetyl GD3 (clone 27A) and flow-cytometric, biochemical or immunological techniques, that it is also expressed at high intensity level on the surface of 49.6% (median) of the CD3+ cells (T lymphocytes), at medium level in 16.

Nephron segment and cell-type specific expression of gangliosides in the developing and adult kidney.

Despite the increasing knowledge of the role of gangliosides in normal and diseased tissues, little is known of the presence, distribution and functions of these molecules in the kidney. In this study we analyzed the main gangliosides of isolated glomeruli and cortical, medullary and papillary fractions of the human, rat and bovine kidneys biochemically. In addition, we used immunohistochemistry to visualize the distribution of GM1/GM2, GD2, GD3 and O-acetyl GD3 gangliosides along the nephron.

A cell-type specific ganglioside of glomerular podocytes in rat kidney: an O-acetylated GD3.

We recently described a monoclonal antibody (clone 27A) that detected a membrane antigen specific for glomerular podocytes in adult rat kidney. After binding in vivo, the antibodies induced rapid changes in the foot processes. Here we show that in other rat tissues the antigen is detectable only in cells of adrenal medulla, in some cells of neural or neural crest origin, and in 1 to 5% of the cells of a rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC-12.