Effect of mobile phone radiation on proteins of human skin in vivo (HERMO-SKIN)

Aim of the study

The aim of the project was to determine whether mobile phone radiation alters the expression of proteins in skin of human volunteers in vivo.

Implementation

Earlier studies have shown that 900MHz GSM radiation alters the expression and activity (phosphorylation) of proteins in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy926. This does not automatically mean that similar changes will occur in mobile phone users. Therefore, in the present project it was examined whether 900MHz GSM mobile phone radiation will alter expression of proteins in human skin and whether it will be possible to find out whether the same proteins are altered in all volunteers.

Dissemination and exploitation of results

Changes were found in the expression of eight proteins that were statistically significant. The results obtained suggest that mobile phone radiation might have an influence on the expression of skin proteins. However, it is not possible to predict whether the observed changes will have impact on skin physiology. A larger study is needed to strengthen these pilot observations. Our study still confirms our previously expressed idea that proteomics screening approach can be used to identify protein targets of mobile phone radiation.

The results were presented at the international meetings of the EBEA (Bordeaux, France, 2007) and BEMS (Kanazawa, Japan, 2007). A peer-review article has been published in BMC Genomics 2008, 9: 77-81.

Collaborators

Central Hospital of the University of Helsinki (Dr. Jorma Halttunen), Finland

Timetable

2005–2007 (the project is completed)

Responsible scientist

Dariusz Leszczynski

Page updated 15/05/2009