The Effect of a Static Magnetic Field on microRNA in Relation to the Regulation of the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in a Fibroblast Cell Line That Had Been Treated with Fluoride Ions

Abstract

Many physical and chemical factors can influence the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and its deregulation has been associated with various disease states. Nrf2 and Keap1 molecules are key elements that regulate the response under cell stress conditions. Hence, the aim of the research was to assess the impact of a static magnetic field that was generated by permanent magnets on the transcriptional activity of the NFE2L2 and KEAP1 genes in a human dermal fibroblast cell line that had been cultured with fluoride ions and in an environment without them. Additionally, our research aimed to answer the question of whether the regulatory RNA molecules—miRNAs—are involved in these effects. Experiments were performed on an NHDF cell line that had been treated with fluoride ions, along with simultaneous exposure to a moderate-intensity static magnetic field. The RT-qPCR method was used to determine the mRNA level of the NFE2L2 and KEAP1 genes and the miRNA level of miR-28-3p, miR-29b-1-5p, miR-141-3p and miR-365a-3p. Our results indicate that fluoride ions influence the Nrf2 signaling pathway and that miRNAs are involved in regulating it. Moreover, the static magnetic field had a beneficial effect on the cells with fluoride-induced oxidative stress due to stimulating the antioxidant defense.