Evaluation of the Effects of Exposure to Power-Frequency Magnetic Fields on the Differentiation of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Abstract

The causal association between exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) and childhood leukemia has been under discussion. Although evidence from experimental studies is required for a conclusion to be reached, only a few studies have focused on the effects of MF exposure on the human hematopoietic system directly related to leukemogenesis. Here, we established an in vitro protocol to simulate the differentiation of human mesodermal cells to hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) using human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, we introduced MF in the protocol to study the effects of exposure. After a continuous exposure to 0–300 mT of 50-Hz MFs during the differentiation process, the efficiency of differentiation of mesodermal cells into HSPCs was analyzed in a single-blinded manner. The percentage of emerged HSPCs from mesodermal cells in groups exposed to 50-Hz MFs indicated a lack of significant changes compared with those in the sham-exposed group. These results suggest that exposure to 50-Hz MFs up to 300 mT does not affect the differentiation of human mesodermal cells to HSPCs, which may be involved in the initial process of leukemogenesis. © 2022 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.