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Original

Low dose radiation induced immunomodulation: Effect on macrophages and CD8+ T cells

, , &
Pages 801-812 | Received 15 Mar 2005, Accepted 13 Dec 2005, Published online: 03 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of fractionated whole body low dose ionizing radiation (LDR) on the functional responses of T lymphocytes, their subpopulations and macrophages.

Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 4 cGy from a 60Co source, at 0.31 cGy/min, at 24 h intervals for 5 days (total dose 20 cGy). Phagocytic activity was measured by flow cytometry using Bioparticles® and nitric oxide generation was estimated by spectrophotometry. Proliferation of lymphocytes in response to concanavalin A (con A) and alloantigens was measured by 3H thymidine incorporation. Expression of cell surface markers was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of antibody labeled cells. Target cell killing by cytotoxic T cells (CTL) generated against allogenic cells was assessed by flow cytometry using PKH26 labeled target cells. Cytokines were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Exposure to LDR enhanced nitric oxide secretion and phagocytosis. The expression of early activation antigen, CD69, was enhanced in CD8+ T lymphocytes concomitant with enhanced proliferation in response to con A. In addition, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and CTL response were augmented and secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) was suppressed following LDR exposure.

Conclusions: LDR exposure enhanced the function of macrophages and responses of CD8+ T cells in C57BL/6 mice.

Abbreviations
CD=

Cluster of Differentiation

cGy=

Centi Gray

Con A=

Concanavalin A

CTL=

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte

DNFB=

Dinitrofluorobenzene

DTH=

Delayed type hypersensitivity

E:T=

Effector:Target

ELISA=

Enzyme Linked Imunosorbent Assay

FDA=

Fluorescein diacetate

FACS=

Fluorescence activated cell sorter

FITC=

Fluorescein isothiocyanate

FL1=

Fluorescence Detector 1 (530 nm; Green fluorescence)

FL 2=

Fluorescence Detector 2 (585 nm; Red fluorescence)

Gy=

Gray

HEPES=

(N-[2-Hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid])

HSP=

Heat shock protein

IFN-γ=

Interferon gamma

IL=

Interleukin

LDR=

Low dose radiation

MHC=

Major histocompatibility complex

MLR=

Mixed lymphocyte reaction

NO=

Nitric Oxide

PE=

Phycoerythrin

PEC=

Peritoneal exudate cells

RPMI=

Roswell Park Memorial Institute

Abbreviations
CD=

Cluster of Differentiation

cGy=

Centi Gray

Con A=

Concanavalin A

CTL=

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte

DNFB=

Dinitrofluorobenzene

DTH=

Delayed type hypersensitivity

E:T=

Effector:Target

ELISA=

Enzyme Linked Imunosorbent Assay

FDA=

Fluorescein diacetate

FACS=

Fluorescence activated cell sorter

FITC=

Fluorescein isothiocyanate

FL1=

Fluorescence Detector 1 (530 nm; Green fluorescence)

FL 2=

Fluorescence Detector 2 (585 nm; Red fluorescence)

Gy=

Gray

HEPES=

(N-[2-Hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid])

HSP=

Heat shock protein

IFN-γ=

Interferon gamma

IL=

Interleukin

LDR=

Low dose radiation

MHC=

Major histocompatibility complex

MLR=

Mixed lymphocyte reaction

NO=

Nitric Oxide

PE=

Phycoerythrin

PEC=

Peritoneal exudate cells

RPMI=

Roswell Park Memorial Institute

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