Author: Patruno A1, Ferrone A1, Costantini E2, Franceschelli S1, Pesce M3, Speranza L1, Amerio P1, D'Angelo C2, Felaco M1, Grilli A3, Reale M2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
<sup>3</sup>Department of Psychological, Humanistic and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Conference/Journal: Cell Prolif.
Date published: 2018 Jan 22
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1111/cpr.12432. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 236
OBJECTIVES: In our previous reports, we have demonstrated that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure enhances the proliferation of keratinocyte. The present study aimed to clarify effects of ELF-EMF on wound healing and molecular mechanisms involved, using a scratch in vitro model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The wounded monolayer cultures of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT), at different ELF-EMF and Sham exposure times were monitored under an inverted microscope. The production and expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR. The activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2/9 was evaluated by zymography and Western blot analysis, respectively. Signal transduction proteins expression (Akt and ERK) was measured by Western blot.
RESULTS: The results of wound healing in vitro assay revealed a significant reduction of cell-free area time-dependent in ELF-EMF-exposed cells compared to Sham condition. Gene expression and release of cytokines analysed were significantly increased in ELF-EMF-exposed cells. Our results further showed that ELF-EMF exposure induced the activity and expressions of MMP-9. Molecular data showed that effects of ELF-EMF might be mediated via Akt and ERK signal pathway, as demonstrated using their specific inhibitors.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight ability of ELF-EMF to modulate inflammation mediators and keratinocyte proliferation/migration, playing an important role in wound repair. The ELF-EMF accelerates wound healing modulating expression of the MMP-9 via Akt/ERK pathway.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PMID: 29357406 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12432