[An experimental in-vitro evaluation of membrane antigen expression and of interleukin production by monocytes exposed to magnetic resonance].

The interactions of magnetic fields and radiofrequency with biological systems have been described by several authors. However, no definitive conclusions have been drawn yet as to the safety of the magnetic fields and radiofrequencies used in clinical examinations. The immune system is one of the most complex biological systems, in which a network of intracellular signals regulates the immune response. Interleukins are released by an activation process which involves, at least in part, intra- and/or extracellular calcium mobilization. The latter step can be influenced by the in vitro effect of this type of nonionizing radiations produced by an MR system on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results show that the 2-hour exposure to magnetic fields (0.5 T) and radiofrequency caused an increase in the spontaneous release of IL2, IL4, IL10, TNF alpha and INF gamma, while the amount of the same cytokines induced by PHA stimulation was decreased. No differences were observed in the spontaneous or PHA-induced release of IL6 by exposure to magnetic fields (MRI). Furthermore, the expression of the CD 11b molecule was increased at the same time. These results may be useful for us to understand the interactions between magnetic fields and radiofrequencies and the immune system.