Level of Flt3-ligand in plasma: a possible new bio-indicator for radiation-induced aplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To follow plasma Flt3-ligand (FL) concentrations in irradiated animals in order to evaluate it as an indicator of bone marrow damage for the management of accidental radiation-induced aplasia.


METHODS
Non-human primates were irradiated at doses ranging from 2 to 8 Gy, using whole- or partial-body irradiation. Plasma FL concentrations and blood cell counts were determined daily.


RESULTS
FL concentrations increased as early as day 2 after irradiation, whatever the irradiation dose. Increase in plasma FL concentration on day 5 post-irradiation was correlated with radiation dose and with the severity of radiation-induced aplasia. During the course of aplasia, FL concentrations in plasma were inversely correlated with neutrophil counts. A peak in FL concentration appeared before the neutrophil nadir, and the subsequent decrease in FL concentration was correlated with the recovery of blood-cell populations.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring plasma FL concentration can be used as an indicator of radiation-induced marrow aplasia, and this may be of use in accidental irradiation situations.
Bertho
J M
JM
Institut de Protection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Département de Protection de la Santé de L'homme et de Dosimétrie, Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France.
Demarquay
C
C
Frick
J
J
Joubert
C
C
Arenales
S
S
Jacquet
N
N
Sorokine-Durm
I
I
Chau
Q
Q
Lopez
M
M
Aigueperse
J
J
Gorin
N C
NC
Gourmelon
P
P
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000293:injuries / Q000528:radiation effects; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils; D010976:Platelet Count; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000276:immunology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3
D015415:Biomarkers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C084881:flt3 ligand protein; C497970:FLT3 protein, human; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3