The Effect of Electromagnetic Waves on Cellular Fibrosis

Abstract

Electromagnetic (EM) fields generated by wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wireless charging, are increasingly prevalent in daily life. Among these, wireless charging commonly operates at a frequency of 310 kHz. The potential biological effects of such fields, however, remain insufficiently characterized. Fibroblasts, the principal connective tissue cells, play a critical role in wound healing and fibrosis and are highly sensitive to inflammatory and oxidative stress signals, making them a suitable model for studying EM interactions. In this thesis, human fibroblasts were exposed in vitro to a non-ionizing EM field produced by a custom-built air coil operating at 310 kHz. Cells were analyzed after 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure for inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α), extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin and collagen), and additional stress markers. Results demonstrated that 310 kHz exposure selectively increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and significantly upregulated fibronectin and collagen, indicating a shift toward fibroblast activation and matrix deposition. These findings suggest that low-frequency EM fields at 310 kHz can modulate fibroblast behavior, underscoring the need for further investigation into underlying mechanisms, dose–response relationships, and long-term in vivo relevance.