Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.11(4) > 1035623

Kwon, Moon, Kim, Lee, Jun, Kim, and Lee: The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field in Human Intervertebral Disc Cell

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the effect of pulsed sinusoidal EMF on human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells.

Literature Review Summary

Electromagnetic field (EMF) is known to modify some relevant physiological parameters of cells cultured in vitro, such as proliferation, synthesis, secretion of growth factors and transcription. EMF induces bone formation in delayed, non union and spinal fusion models. A lso, the exposure of EMF has been shown to protect against the hazardous effect of smoking in the rabbit IVD.

Study design

A n in vitro experiment.

Objectives

To assess the effect of pulsed sinusoidal EMF on human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells.

Literature Review Summary

Electromagnetic field (EMF) is known to modify some relevant physiological parameters of cells cultured in vitro, such as proliferation, synthesis, secretion of growth factors and transcription. EMF induces bone formation in delayed, non union and spinal fusion models. A lso, the exposure of EMF has been shown to protect against the hazardous effect of smoking in the rabbit IVD.

Materials and Methods

Human IVD cells were Three-dimensionally cultured in alginate beads and exposed to a 650Ω, 1.8mil-litesla magnetic flux density, 60Hz sinusoidal wave of EMF. The cultures were divided into the control and EMF groups, with various exposure times. The cytotoxicity, and DNA and proteoglycan syntheses were measured by the MTT assay, and [3H]-thymidine and [35S]- sulfate incorporation, respectively. RT-PCRs were performed for aggrecan, and collagen types I and II mRNA expressions.

Results

There was no recognizable cytotoxicity in the EMF group, but cellular proliferation was stimulated (p<0.05). Newly synthesized proteoglycan, normalized by DNA synthesis, was decreased in the EMF group (p<0.05) as were the expressions of aggrecan (48hour exposure) and type II collagen (72 hours exposure) mRNA compared to the control group.

Conclusions

EMF seems to be hazardous in the synthesis of the chondrogenic matrix, while marginally beneficial in the cellular proliferation of human IVD cells.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.
Electromagnetic field (EMF) generator A; Power source B; EMF generator C; Culture plate in EMF generator. EMF was exposed to IVD cells with 650, 1.8 millitesla magnetic flux density, 60Hz sinusoidal wave. Cultures were divided into control and EMF group with various exposure times.
jkss-11-194f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Percent control of DNA synthesis measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation (CPM). Control; cultures without EMF exposure, EMF: cultures with EMF exposure for 6, 24, 48, 72 hours.
jkss-11-194f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Percent control of proteoglycan synthesis measured by [35S]-Sulfate incorporation (CPM). Control: cultures without EMF exposure, EMF: cultures with EMF exposure for 6, 24, 48, 72 hours.
jkss-11-194f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Effect of EMF on the expression of aggrecan and collagen type Ⅰ, Ⅱ. A; The IVD cells were exposed to various times of EMF. Total RNA was isolated from cells and subjected to RT-PCR. A; The PCR products were separated on 2% agarose gels containing ethidium bromide, and then observed on an ultraviolet transilluminator. B, C, D; The expression of each band seen in A was quantified using an image analyzer. The results are presented as the percentage of the mRNA level relative to β-actin for each band.
jkss-11-194f4.tif
Table 1.
Sequences of the RT-PCR Primers Used
Primer Sequence Length Size (bp)
β-actin 5’ -GGC GGA CTA TGA CTT AGT TG-3’ 20 238
  5’ -AAA CAA CAA TGT GCA ATC AA-3’ 20  
Aggrecan 5’ -GAA TCT AGC AGT GAG ACG TC-3’ 20 541
  5’ -CTG CAG CAG TTG ATT CTG AT-3’ 20  
Collagen type Ⅰ 5’ -CCT GTC TGC TTC CTG TTA AC-3’ 20 182
  5’ -AGA GAT GAA TGC AAA GGA AA-3’ 20  
Collagen type Ⅱ 5’ -CAG GAC CAA AGG GAC AGA AA-3’ 20 328
  5’ -TTG GTC CTT GCA TTA CTC CC-3’ 20  
Table 2.
PCR Conditions
Primer   Conditions Cycle    
Denaturation Annealing Polymerization cycles
β-actin 94°C 5 sec 53°C 5 sec 72°C 30 sec 24
Aggrecan 94°C 5 sec 47°C 5 sec 72°C 30 sec 26
Collagen type Ⅰ 94°C 5 sec 48°C 5 sec 72°C 30 sec 21
Collagen type Ⅱ 94°C 5 sec 48°C 5 sec 72°C 30 sec 40
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