Effect of the daily exposure of 1.7 GHz LTE electromagnetic field in early fetal brain development using a human brain organoid model of the cerebral cortex

Abstract

Wireless communication technologys ubiquity means constant exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). While concerns exist about RF-EMFs effects on fetal brain development, studying this in pregnant women poses ethical and safety challenges. Our study examined 1.7 GHz LTE RF-EMFs impact on early human fetal brain development using brain organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Previous research showed that 100-day-old human cerebral cortical brain organoids correspond to 19-24 weeks post-conception of fetal brain development. We exposed organoids to 1.7 GHz LTE RF-EMF at 8 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) for 5 hours daily up to 100 days. We monitored size, developmental morphology, and developmental stage markers using immunofluorescence microscopy and qPCR analysis. Comparing RF-EMF-exposed organoids with controls showed no significant differences in size, development, or expression of key markers: SOX2 and PAX6 (pluripotent cell markers), NEUN (mature neuronal marker), MAP2 (dendrite marker), and SYN1 (synapse marker). Results suggest that daily exposure to 1.7 GHz LTE RF-EMF at 8 W/kg SAR may not significantly affect early human fetal brain development.