Extremely low frequency magnetic fields regulate differentiation of regulatory T cells: Potential role for ROS-mediated inhibition on AKT

Abstract

Our previous studies showed that extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) inhibited tumor growth and change proportion of splenic regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Here, we focus on the effect of ELF-MFs on lung metastatic melanoma mouse model and the regulatory mechanism of ELF-MFs on the differentiation of Treg cells. Tumor-bearing mice were exposed to sham ELF-MFs and ELF-MFs (0.4 T, 7.5 Hz) 2 h/day for 27 days. Metastatic tumor burden of lung was significantly decreased after ELF-MF treatment. Compared to the control group, expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2, MMP9) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in lung nodules significantly decreased in the ELF-MF group. Moreover, in vitro, after stimulated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28 antibodies and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and treated with ELF-MFs for 2 h, expression of Foxp3 in total T cells was significantly decreased. Differentiation rate of Treg cells was inhibited from 32.0% to 22.1% by ELF-MFs. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased and phospho-serine/threonine protein kinase (p-AKT) was inhibited in both T cells and Jurkat cells. ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine reversed inhibition of AKT pathway and expression of Foxp3 from 18.6% to 26.6% in T cells. Taken together, our data show that ELF-MF exposure promoted the inhibitory effect of ROS on AKT pathway and decreased Foxp3 expression, which provides an explanation for why ELF-MF exposure can inhibit differentiation of Treg cells and enhance antitumor effect in metastatic melanoma mouse model.

Keywords: AKT pathway; ELF-MFs; reactive oxygen species; treg cells.