Studies on the Radiosensitivity of Mononuclear Inflammatory Cells, in Vitro

Summary

Mononuclear cells were irradiated in vitro with different doses of x-rays. RNA-labelling with ³²P was studied. After irradiation (5000–10 000 r) there was a decrease of specific activity in the total RNA as compared with the control cells. This initial effect of x-rays on RNA-labelling proved to be reversible after a few hours (2–3) after irradiation. The RNA specific activity of irradiated cells was studied in the phenol-released fraction, in that remaining in the phenol phase and in the different fractions of RNA separated on ECTEOLA. The initial decrease of specific activity was demonstrated in all fractions. Under such circumstances the immediate effect of x-ray on RNA-labelling is questionable.