Influence of smartphone Wi-Fi signals on adipose-derived stem cells

J Craniofac Surg. 2014 Sep;25(5):1902-7. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000000939.

Abstract

The use of smartphones is expanding rapidly around the world, thus raising the concern of possible harmful effects of radiofrequency generated by smartphones. We hypothesized that Wi-Fi signals from smartphones may have harmful influence on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). An in vitro study was performed to assess the influence of Wi-Fi signals from smartphones. The ASCs were incubated under a smartphone connected to a Wi-Fi network, which was uploading files at a speed of 4.8 Mbps for 10 hours a day, for a total of 5 days. We constructed 2 kinds of control cells, one grown in 37°C and the other grown in 39°C. After 5 days of Wi-Fi exposure from the smartphone, the cells underwent cell proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, and flow cytometry analysis. Three growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β, were measured from ASC-conditioned media. Cell proliferation rate was higher in Wi-Fi-exposed cells and 39°C control cells compared with 37°C control cells. Apoptosis assay, flow cytometry analysis, and growth factor concentrations showed no remarkable differences among the 3 groups. We could not find any harmful effects of Wi-Fi electromagnetic signals from smartphones. The increased proliferation of ASCs under the smartphone, however, might be attributable to the thermal effect.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology*
  • Adipose Tissue / radiation effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Phone*
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / analysis
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / analysis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / radiation effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / radiation effects
  • Wireless Technology*

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor