Pulsed electromagnetic field enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

• PEMF (50 Hz, 1 mT) increased the level of [Ca2+]i in DRGNs.
• PEMF (50 Hz, 1 mT) promoted Bdnf mRNA expression in DRGNs.
• The promotion of Bdnf expression was mediated by calcium influx through L-VGCC.
• The promotion of Bdnf expression was mediated by Erk-dependent signaling pathways.

Although pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure has been reported to promote neuronal differentiation, the mechanism is still unclear. Here, we aimed to examine the effects of PEMF exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) mRNA expression and the correlation between the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and Bdnf mRNA expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs). Exposure to 50 Hz and 1 mT PEMF for 2 h increased the level of [Ca2+]i and Bdnf mRNA expression, which was found to be mediated by increased [Ca2+]i from Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). However, calcium mobilization was not involved in the increased [Ca2+]i and BDNF expression, indicating that calcium influx was one of the key factors responding to PEMF exposure. Moreover, PD098059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) inhibitor, strongly inhibited PEMF-dependant Erk1/2 activation and BDNF expression, indicating that Erk activation is required for PEMF-induced upregulation of BDNF expression. These findings indicated that PEMF exposure increased BDNF expression in DRGNs by activating Ca2+- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways.