Emerging evidence implies that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can negatively affect angiogenesis. In this regard, the effects of ELF-PEMF exposure on the relative expression level of angiogenic factors, involved in the pathogenesis of ocular disorders, were evaluated in human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells in order to introduce a novel therapeutic method for patients with several ocular diseases associated with neovascularization.

After separating hRPE cells from globes, cell cultures were exposed to 15 mT of ELF-PEMF (120 Hz) at 5, 10, and 15 minutes for seven days, proliferation and apoptosis of cells were evaluated following ELF-PEMF exposure via ELISA assay. Real-time RT-PCR assay was performed for evaluating the expression changes of HIF-1α, CTGF, VEGFA, MMP-2, cathepsin D, and E2F3 in hRPE cells with ELF-PEMF exposure.

The ELISA results showed that ELF-PEMF exposure had no major effects on the apoptosis or proliferation rate of hRPE cells. Gene expression analysis revealed that ELF-PEMF could change the expression levels of HIF-1α, CTGF, VEGFA, MMP2, cathepsin D, and E2F3 and downregulate them at 5 minutes.

ELF-PEMF has an inhibitory role in retinal angiogenesis by downregulating relative angiogenic factors in hRPE cells. In addition, it has no cytotoxic or proliferative effects on the exposed hRPE cells. Therefore, ELF-PEMF can be a useful procedure for managing angiogenesis induced by retinal pathogenesis, although more studies with adequate follow-up in animal models are needed.