title: Non-targeted effects of ionising radiation--implications for low dose risk.
abstract: Non-DNA targeted effects of ionising radiation, which include genomic instability, and a variety of bystander effects including abscopal effects and bystander mediated adaptive response, have raised concerns about the magnitude of low-dose radiation risk. Genomic instability, bystander effects and adaptive responses are powered by fundamental, but not clearly understood systems that maintain tissue homeostasis. Despite excellent research in this field by various groups, there are still gaps in our understanding of the likely mechanisms associated with non-DNA targeted effects, particularly with respect to systemic (human health) consequences at low and intermediate doses of ionising radiation. Other outstanding questions include links between the different non-targeted responses and the variations in response observed between individuals and cell lines, possibly a function of genetic background. Furthermore, it is still not known what the initial target and early interactions in cells are that give rise to non-targeted responses in neighbouring or descendant cells. This paper provides a commentary on the current state of the field as a result of the non-targeted effects of ionising radiation (NOTE) Integrated Project funded by the European Union. Here we critically examine the evidence for non-targeted effects, discuss apparently contradictory results and consider implications for low-dose radiation health effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. Electronic address: mkadhim@brookes.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Munira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kadhim
authors.affiliation: STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, 00881 Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Sisko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salomaa
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University of Rostock, Südring 75, 18051 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
authors.affiliation: Hevesy Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Oleg V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Belyakov
authors.affiliation: Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Prise
authors.affiliation: Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing