Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Promote In Vitro Neuronal Differentiation and Neurite Outgrowth of Embryonic Neural Stem Cells via Up-Regulating TRPC1

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 7;11(3):e0150923. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150923. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) can enhance hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice. However, little is focused on the effects of ELF-EMFs on embryonic neurogenesis. Here, we studied the potential effects of ELF-EMFs on embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs). We exposed eNSCs to ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 1 mT) for 1, 2, and 3 days with 4 hours per day. We found that eNSC proliferation and maintenance were significantly enhanced after ELF-EMF exposure in proliferation medium. ELF-EMF exposure increased the ratio of differentiated neurons and promoted the neurite outgrowth of eNSC-derived neurons without influencing astrocyes differentiation and the cell apoptosis. In addition, the expression of the proneural genes, NeuroD and Ngn1, which are crucial for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth, was increased after ELF-EMF exposure. Moreover, the expression of transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) was significantly up-regulated accompanied by increased the peak amplitude of intracellular calcium level induced by ELF-EMF. Furthermore, silencing TRPC1 expression eliminated the up-regulation of the proneural genes and the promotion of neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth induced by ELF-EMF. These results suggest that ELF-EMF exposure promotes the neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth of eNSCs via up-regulation the expression of TRPC1 and proneural genes (NeuroD and Ngn1). These findings also provide new insights in understanding the effects of ELF-EMF exposure on embryonic brain development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / radiation effects
  • Cell Differentiation / radiation effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neural Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Neurites / metabolism
  • Neurites / radiation effects*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • TRPC Cation Channels / deficiency
  • TRPC Cation Channels / genetics*
  • Up-Regulation / radiation effects*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 1

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (National 973 Program) (Grant No. 2011CB503700; Zhengping Yu; study design) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.31170800; Lei Zhang; data collection and analysis) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.31370832; Chunhai Chen;study design; preparation of the manuscript).