Effect of gamma irradiation doses in the structural and functional properties of mice splenic cells

Abstract

Purpose: Ionizing radiation is nowadays effectively used in cancer treatments. However, the effect of irradiation in immune-system cells is poorly understood and remains controversial. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of γ-irradiation in the structural and functional properties of mice splenic cells.

Materials and methods: Structural traits of irradiated splenic cells were evaluated by Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Functional properties were measured by gene and protein expression by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. The induced cytotoxic effect was evaluated by MTT assay and the phagocytic capability by flow cytometry.

Results: Membrane roughness and molecular composition of splenic adherent cells are not changed by irradiation doses exposure. An increase in transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed. While protein expression decreased in IL-2 dose-dependent, relevant differences were identified in the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10 at 27 Gy. An increase of cytotoxicity in irradiated cells at 7 Gy and 27 Gy doses was observed, while phagocytosis was slight increased at 7 Gy dose but not statistically significant.

Conclusions: We have demonstrated that γ-irradiation affects the splenic cells and changes the cytokines profile toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype and a tendency to increase the cytotoxicity was found, which implies a stimulation of immune response induced by γ-irradiation.

Keywords:

• γ-irradiation
• splenic cells
• immune response induced

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge to M.C. Rafael Canett Romero for the facilities to work in the bioterium of the Universidad de Sonora. We thank to David H. López Cadena for his technical support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

We are grateful to the CONACYT and SEP of Mexico for financial support, under projects PDPCPN-2014-248982, INFR-2016-01-268666, PROMEP DSA/103.5/15/7356, PRODEP/INPTC 0701224, and CB-2012/182422.

Notes on contributors

Yanik Deana

Yanik Deana, B.Sc. Molecular and cellular biology.

Alexel J. Burgara-Estrella

Alexel Jesús Burgara-Estrella, Ph.D. Molecular biology and AFM Bio.

Maricela Montalvo-Corral

Maricela Montalvo-Corral, Ph.D. Molecular biology and cell studies.

Aracely Angulo-Molina

Aracely Angulo-Molina, Ph.D. Nanomedicine and biological models.

Mónica A. Acosta-Elías

Mónica Alessandra Acosta-Elías, Ph.D. Nanotechnology and RAMAN Bio.

Erika Silva-Campa

Erika Silva-Campa, Ph.D. Immunology and cell studies.

Jose A. Sarabia-Sainz

Jose Andre-i Sarabia-Sainz, Ph.D. Chemistry and proteomics.

Iracema C. Rodríguez-Hernández

Iracema del Carmen Rodríguez-Hernández, M.Sc. Microbiology and cell biology.

Martín R. Pedroza-Montero

Martín Pedroza-Montero, Ph.D. Physics, Bio-spectroscopies, data modeling and biomedical experiments.