Chromosome fragility in New Zealand black mice: effect of ultraviolet and gamma radiations on fetal fibroblasts in vitro.
The sensitivity of fibroblasts cultured from New Zealand Black (NZB) and BALB/c mouse fetuses to UV and gamma radiations was tested with two methods: 1) colony-forming ability and 2) chromosome abnormalities. When compared with BALB/c cells, NZB cells had reduced colony-forming ability and increased chromosome abnormalities after UV irradiation. However, no differences were seen in colony formation or frequency of chromosome abnormalities between NZB and BALB/c cells after exposure to gamma radiation. This apparent UV specificity strengthens the suggestion that NZB mice might be used as a model to study the relationship between chromosome abnormalities and cancer in human syndromes such as xeroderma pigmentosum, which is characterized by chromosome instability.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005720:Gamma Rays; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays