The effects of low-dose ionizing radiation in the activated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) mast cells.
Mast cells play important roles in many biological responses, such as those during allergic diseases and inflammatory disorders. Although laser and UV irradiation have immunosuppressive effects on inflammatory diseases by suppressing mast cells, little is known about the effects of γ-ionizing radiation on mast cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of γ-ionizing radiation on RBL-2H3 cells, a convenient model system for studying regulated secretion by mast cells. Low-dose radiation (<0.1 gray (Gy)) did not induce cell death, but high-dose radiation (>0.5 Gy) induced apoptosis. Low-dose ionizing radiation significantly suppressed the release of mediators (histamine, β-hexosaminidase, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-α) from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. To determine the mechanism of mediator release inhibition by ionizing radiation, we examined the activation of intracellular signaling molecules such as Lyn, Syk, phospholipase Cγ, PKCs, and MAPK, and intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)). The phosphorylation of signaling molecules following stimulation of high-affinity IgE receptor I (FcεRI) was specifically inhibited by low-dose ionizing radiation (0.01 Gy). These results were due to the suppression of FcεRI expression by the low-dose ionizing radiation. Therefore, low-dose ionizing radiation (0.01 Gy) may function as a novel inhibitor of mast cell activation.
Radiation Effect Research Team, Radiation Health Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Seoul 132-703, Korea.
Hae Mi
HM
Joo
Seon Young
SY
Nam
Kwang Hee
KH
Yang
Cha Soon
CS
Kim
Young Woo
YW
Jin
Ji Young
JY
Kim
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D015471:Leukemia, Basophilic, Acute / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects*
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins