title: Characterization of accelerated iron-ion-induced damage in gap junction-competent and -incompetent thyroid follicular cells.
abstract: Early- and late-passage cultures of Fischer rat thyroid cells differ in their growth properties and gap junction competency. Previous studies comparing early- and late-passage cultures exposed to gamma rays and proton beams revealed that differences in growth rate did not influence their responses; however, the presence of connexin 32 gap junctions conferred resistance to gamma radiation. To further assess differences in radiation quality, suspension cultures of early- and late-passage cells were exposed to accelerated iron ions, and their comparative biological responses were measured. The iron-ion-irradiated cells displayed sustained levels of incorporated dUTP, reflecting persistent DNA damage. These results were supported by the frequency of chromosomal damage measured by micronucleus formation. Iron-ion irradiation induced micronuclei at a rate of eight per gray per 100 binucleated cells scored in early-passage cells and nine per gray per 100 binucleated cells scored in late-passage cells. Relative to photons, the calculated radiobiological effectiveness for frequency of micronuclei was 5.7 and 6.4 for the early- and late-passage cultures, respectively (P > 0.05). Levels of apoptosis fluctuated as a function of dose, and modest increases above basal levels persisted throughout the 48-h period. The comparison of retained follicular structures revealed differences in the alpha components of the linear-quadratic dose-response curves (0.60 Gy(-1) for early-passage and 0.71 Gy(-1) for late-passage cultures, P < 0.014). Cell cycle phase redistribution resulted in a G2 arrest (P < 0.001) for both early- and late-passage cultures. In conclusion, the response of thyroid follicular cells to high-LET radiation was not influenced by the presence of gap junctions or the proliferative status of the target cells.
authors.affiliation: Radiobiology Program-Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92354, USA. lgreen@dominion.llumc.edu
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Bianski
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rightnar
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000528:radiation effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007477:Ions; D007503:Iron Isotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D007503:Iron Isotopes