Transmission of chromosomal instability after plutonium alpha-particle irradiation.
When investigating the biological effects of ionizing radiation on the haemopoietic system, a confounding problem lies in possible differences between the biological effects of sparsely ionizing, low linear energy transfer radiation such as X-, beta- or gamma-rays, and densely ionizing, high linear energy transfer radiation such as alpha-particles. To address this problem we have developed novel techniques for studying haemopoietic cells irradiated with environmentally relevant doses of alpha-particles from a plutonium-238 source. Using a clonogenic culture system, cytogenetic aberrations in individual colonies of haemopoietic cells derived from irradiated stem cells have been studied. Exposure to alpha-particles (but not X-rays) produced a high frequency of non-clonal aberrations in the clonal descendants, compatible with alpha-emitters inducing lesions in stem cells that result in the transmission of chromosomal instability to their progeny. Such unexpected instability may have important implications for radiation leukaemogenesis.
Kadhim
M A
MA
MRC Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
Macdonald
D A
DA
Goodhead
D T
DT
Lorimore
S A
SA
Marsden
S J
SJ
Wright
E G
EG
D000512:Alpha Particles; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007621:Karyotyping; D007953:Leukemia, Radiation-Induced; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011005:Plutonium
D011005:Plutonium