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50-Hz magnetic field exposure influences DNA repair and mitochondrial DNA synthesis of distinct cell types in brain and kidney of adult mice

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Abstract

Despite several recent investigations, the impact of whole-body magnetic field exposure on cell-type-specific alterations due to DNA damage and DNA repair remains unclear. In this pilot study adult mice were exposed to 50-Hz magnetic field (mean value 1.5 mT) for 8 weeks or left unexposed. Five minutes after ending exposure, the mice received [3H]thymidine and were killed 2 h later. Autoradiographs were prepared from paraffin sections of brains and kidneys for measuring unscheduled DNA synthesis and mitochondrial DNA synthesis, or in situ nick translation with DNA polymerase-I and [3H]dTTP. A significant (P<0.05) increase in both unscheduled DNA synthesis and in situ nick translation was only found for epithelial cells of the choroid plexus. Thus, these two independent methods indicate that nuclear DNA damage is produced by long-lasting and strong magnetic field exposure. The fact that only plexus epithelial cells were affected might point to possible effects of magnetic fields on iron transport across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, but the mechanisms are currently not understood. Mitochondrial DNA synthesis was exclusively increased in renal epithelial cells of distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts, i.e., cells with a very high content of mitochondria, possibly indicating increased metabolic activity of these cells.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Reinhard Kluge (Institut für Versuchstierkunde, RWTH Aachen University) and his team for providing the mice and taking care of them during MF exposure. The skilful technical assistance of Ms. Michaela Nicolau is gratefully acknowledged. This study was supported by the START program of the Faculty of Medicine at the RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse/Wendlingweg 2, 52057, Aachen, Germany

    C. Schmitz, E. Keller, T. Freuding & H. Korr

  2. femu, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    J. Silny

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  1. C. Schmitz
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  2. E. Keller
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  3. T. Freuding
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  4. J. Silny
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  5. H. Korr
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Correspondence to H. Korr.

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Schmitz, C., Keller, E., Freuding, T. et al. 50-Hz magnetic field exposure influences DNA repair and mitochondrial DNA synthesis of distinct cell types in brain and kidney of adult mice. Acta Neuropathol 107, 257–264 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-003-0799-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-003-0799-6

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