Whole-body irradiation and long-term modification of bone marrow-derived cell populations by low- and high-LET radiation.
BACKGROUND
The major aim of this study was to quantify long-term changes in bone marrow-derived cell populations after exposure to radiations of differing quality.


METHODS
Mice were whole-body irradiated to 2 Gy gamma, proton, carbon or iron radiation, and euthanized approximately 110 days later for immunocyte phenotyping.


RESULTS
Splenic lymphocytes and mono/macrophages increased after gamma-rays when compared to 0 Gy and one or more of the other groups. There were high T cells (carbon vs. 0 Gy), high B cells (gamma-rays vs. 0 Gy), and low natural killer (NK) cells (proton and carbon vs. 0 Gy). All radiations, except gamma-rays, increased CD62L+ memory T cell counts, whereas CD62L+ B cells increased only after gamma-rays.


CONCLUSIONS
There were significant aberrations in many immune parameters nearly 4 months after exposure to various forms of radiation. This suggests radiation exposure can have long-term health consequences.
Gridley
Daila S
DS
Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University and Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. dgridley@dominion.llumc.edu
Pecaut
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D007107:Immune System / Q000528:radiation effects; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008099:Liver / Q000528:radiation effects; D008168:Lung / Q000528:radiation effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009929:Organ Size / Q000528:radiation effects; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation