title: Influence of the bystander phenomenon on the chromosome aberration pattern in human lymphocytes induced by in vitro alpha-particle exposure.
abstract: A recent publication on both chromosome-type and chromatid-type aberrations in lymphocytes of patients during treatment with radium-224 for ankylosing spondilitis has revived the question of whether the chromatid-type aberrations may be the consequence of factors released by irradiated cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of such a bystander phenomenon on the chromosome aberration pattern of lymphocytes. Monolayers of human lymphocytes were irradiated with 1 Gy of alpha-particles from an americium-241 source in the absence or presence of whole blood, autologous plasma or culture medium. In the presence of any liquid covering the monolayer during irradiation, the chromatid-type aberrations were, contrary to expectation, elevated. Whereas the intercellular distribution of dicentrics was significantly overdispersed, the chromatid-type aberrations showed a regular dispersion. It can be concluded that the enhanced frequency of chromatid aberrations is the result of a damage signal or a bystander phenomenon released by irradiated cells.
authors.affiliation: Radiobiological Institute, University of Munich, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany. Ernst.Schmid@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roos
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000528:radiation effects; D002460:Cell Line / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007554:Isotopes; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011883:Radium; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007554:Isotopes; D011883:Radium