Stimulatory effect of low dose X-irradiation on the expression of the human T lymphocyte CD2 surface antigen.
We investigated the early effects of low doses of ionizing radiation on the CD2 gene expression in normal human T lymphocytes in order to clarify if low-dose ionizing radiation has an enhancing and/or stimulatory effect on the immune response. The results indicate that even low doses of X-irradiation strongly enhance the appearance of CD2 antigen, both in PHA-stimulated and in resting T lymphocytes as demonstrated by a rosette assay or by immunofluorescence. Moreover, an accumulation of CD2 mRNA is observed in X-irradiated cells compared with non-irradiated, a fact that is attributed mainly to transcriptional activation of the CD2 gene and not to stabilization of preformed mRNA.
Sambani
C
C
Institute of Nuclear Technology-Radiation Protection, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Paraskevi Attikis, Greece.
Thomou
H
H
Kitsiou
P
P
D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D018801:CD2 Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger