A comparison of the response of unstimulated and stimulated T-lymphocytes and fibroblasts from normal, xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy donors to the lethal action of UV-C.
Unstimulated T-lymphocytes from normal donors are significantly more sensitive to the lethal effects of UV-C than either stimulated T-lymphocytes or fibroblasts as judged by colony-forming ability. Data from other studies suggest that excision repair is more effective in stimulated than unstimulated T-lymphocytes leading to the prediction that these differences in survival should be minimal in cells established from excision defective donors. The prediction was met with XP6BR, a donor of unknown complementation group. For 3 XP's from complementation group D, however, enhanced survival in stimulated T-cells was observed. With cells from an excision-defective TTD who was included in complementation group D of XP both fibroblasts and unstimulated T-lymphocytes were hypersensitive. For a second excision defective TTD patient who was excluded from complementation group D, the unstimulated T-lymphocytes were more resistant than those of normal donors although the fibroblasts were hypersensitive. These results suggest that the in vitro response of stimulated T-lymphocytes or fibroblasts may not reflect the in vivo response of cells, as measured by the response of unstimulated T-lymphocytes.
MRC Cell Mutation Unit, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Great Britain.
C F
CF
Arlett
S A
SA
Harcourt
J
J
Cole
M H
MH
Green
A V
AV
Anstey
D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D013577:Syndrome; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014983:Xeroderma Pigmentosum / Q000276:immunology*