title: Ratio of γ-H2AX level in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes detected using flow cytometry as a potential biodosimeter for radiation exposure.
abstract: This study aims to assess utilisation of the ratio of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes (RL/G of γ-H2AX) in blood as a rapid method for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies. Blood samples from healthy volunteers exposed to 0-10 Gy of (60)Co irradiation were collected. The samples were cultured for 0-24 h and then analysed using flow cytometry to measure the levels of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes and granulocytes. The basal RL/G levels of γ-H2AX in healthy human blood, the response of RL/G of γ-H2AX to ionising radiation and its relationship with doses, time intervals after exposure and individual differences were also analysed. The level of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes increased in a dose-dependent manner after irradiation, whereas the level in granulocytes was not affected. A linear dose-effect relationship with low inter-experimental and inter-individual variations was observed. The RL/G of γ-H2AX may be used as a biomarker for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies if blood samples can be collected within 24 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Toxicology and Oncology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
authors.forename: Zhidong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hailiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xueqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yulei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Haixiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Pingkun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C468783:H2AX protein, human; D006657:Histones