UV-C sensitivity of unstimulated and stimulated human lymphocytes from normal and xeroderma pigmentosum donors in the comet assay: a potential diagnostic technique.
We have studied incision-break formation in unstimulated and stimulated populations of human T-lymphocytes using the comet (single-cell microgel electrophoresis) assay. The frequency of strand breaks 1 h after UV-irradiation appears to be far greater in unstimulated than in stimulated lymphocytes from normal donors and the excess of strand breaks was observed for a far longer time after irradiation. This result corroborates the greater sensitivity of UV-C irradiation observed in a colony-forming assay but suggests that the defect may relate to a defect in strand rejoining rather than a defect in incision. Few strand breaks were seen in either unstimulated or stimulated lymphocytes of four xeroderma pigmentosum donors, suggesting that the method may offer a rapid diagnostic assay for XP.
MRC Cell Mutation Unit, Sussex University, Falmer, Brighton, Great Britain.
M H
MH
Green
J E
JE
Lowe
S A
SA
Harcourt
P
P
Akinluyi
T
T
Rowe
J
J
Cole
A V
AV
Anstey
C F
CF
Arlett
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014983:Xeroderma Pigmentosum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology