title: Role of VEGF-A gene in the formation of late effects after the Chornobyl accident.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the VEGF-A gene expression and its main effects on immune cells in the Chornobyl NPP accident clean-up workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  VEGF-A gene expression and its main effects on immune cells were studied in 55 persons by a real-time PCR analysis and immunophenotyping of immune competent cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disorders of regulation of neoangiogenesis were found in remote period upon radiation exposure. Elevated levels of VEGF-A gene expression correlated with TP53 gene expression in the ChNPP accident clean-up workers. Correlation was established between the percentage of the immunoregulatory T-cell subpopulations and VEGF-A expressing in the group of exposed persons and there was demonstrated a suppression of specific immune response of CD4⁻8⁺ T cells. Correlation between the percentage of CD4⁺25⁺ cells and radiation dose in a group of Chornobyl clean-up workers is not related to VEGF-A expression, so this type of immune response can be regarded as a manifestation of long-term effects after exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some parameters were identified characterizing the state and abnormalities of the "immunity-angio-genesis" system. Those parameters could be promising in prediction of neoplastic process in remote period upon radiation exposure.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Ilyenko
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014455:Ukraine; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Chornobyl; VEGF-A gene expression; immune system; ionizing radiation