The Radiation Response of a Long-term Culture of Human Lymphoid Cells

Summary

The radiation response of a long-term culture of human immunoglobulin-producing lymphoid cells (T₁ cells) studied by the colony-forming method, is remarkably similar to the response of other mammalian cell cultures. The relevant parameters are: n = 7–8; D_q = 175 rads and D₀ = 85 rads. The cells also demonstrate the ability to repair x-ray damage when the total dose is delivered in two separate exposures. Repair results in the restitution of the shoulder region in dose-dependent survival curves. T₁ cells, as an in vitro model for the radiation response of lymphoid cells, contradict the classical contention that immunocytes are extremely radiosensitive.