Chromosome analysis of the differential radiosensitivity of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cell line and B and T lymphocytes from the same blood donor

Abstract

Purpose: To date, simultaneously performed investigations on the differential radiosensitivity of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cell line as well as B and T lymphocytes of human peripheral blood are not available. Thus the aim of the present study was to fill this gap by directly comparing the corresponding dose-response relationships of dicentrics obtained in blood samples from the same donor.

Material and methods: Cell samples of whole blood or low passage cells of an EBV-transformed B cell line were irradiated by 120 kV X-rays in chambers tightly embedded in a polymethylmethacrylate phantom. Chromosome analysis was performed in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T lymphocytes, in pokeweed mitogen-stimulated B lymphocytes and in the EBV-transformed B cell line.

Results: Based on dose-response relationships of dicentrics, different radiosensitivity values relative to T lymphocytes were found from 1.53–1.46 for the EBV-transformed cell line, from 0.76–0.80 for resting B lymphocytes and from 2.36–2.20 for cycling B lymphocytes within the dose range from 0.25–4 Gy.

Conclusions: Owing to these different radiosensitivity values, care has to be taken when dose-response relationships of dicentrics determined in B cell lines are used in biological dosimetry to estimate any dose levels for radiation protection purposes.

Keywords:

• X-rays
• dicentrics
• T and B lymphocytes
• EBV-transformed cell line

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.