title: Stable intrachromosomal biomarkers of past exposure to densely ionizing radiation in several chromosomes of exposed individuals.
abstract: A multicolor banding (mBAND) fluorescence in situ hybridization technique was used to investigate the presence inhuman populations of a stable biomarker-intrachromosomal chromosome aberrations-of past exposure to high-LET radiation. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were taken from healthy Russian nuclear workers occupationally exposed from 1949 onward to either plutonium, gamma rays or both. Metaphase spreads were produced and chromosomes 1 and 2 were hybridized with mBAND FISH probes and scored for intra-chromosomal aberrations. A large yield of intrachromosomal aberrations was observed in both chromosomes of the individuals exposed to high doses of plutonium, whereas there was no significant increase over the (low) background control rate in the population who were exposed to high doses of gamma rays. Interchromosome aberration yields were similar in both the high plutonium and the high gamma-ray groups. These results for chromosome 1 and 2 confirm and extend data published previously for chromosome 5. Intrachromosomal aberrations thus represent a potential biomarker for past exposure to high-LET radiations such as alpha particles and neutrons and could possibly be used as a biodosimeter to estimate both the dose and type of radiation exposure in previously exposed populations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. cm2073@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Tamara V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Azizova
authors.forename: M Prakash
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hande
authors.forename: Ludmilla E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Burak
authors.forename: Josephine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tsakok
authors.forename: Valentin F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Khokhryakov
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Geard
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001822:Body Burden; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002871:Chromosome Banding / Q000379:methods; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011005:Plutonium; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D011005:Plutonium