title: Non-targeted effects induced by ionizing radiation: mechanisms and potential impact on radiation induced health effects.
abstract: Not-targeted effects represent a paradigm shift from the "DNA centric" view that ionizing radiation only elicits biological effects and subsequent health consequences as a result of an energy deposition event in the cell nucleus. While this is likely true at higher radiation doses (>1 Gy), at low doses (<100 mGy) non-targeted effects associated with radiation exposure might play a significant role. Here definitions of non-targeted effects are presented, the potential mechanisms for the communication of signals and signaling networks from irradiated cells/tissues are proposed, and the various effects of this intra- and intercellular signaling are described. We conclude with speculation on how these observations might lead to and impact long-term human health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States. Electronic address: wfmorgan@pnnl.gov.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: Marianne B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sowa
mesh_terms: D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Cell-cell communication; Ionizing radiation; Non-targeted effects