G2 arrest following fractionated irradiation in the mouse jejunal crypt

Abstract

A G2 block is a well-known response to irradiation, showing a delay time that depends on the given single dose. Our question was whether the division delay time is the same after multiple doses as after a single dose. We therefore studied mitosis in the mouse jejunal crypt using a quantitative approach. Three radiation schedules with a fraction size of 2 Gy were compared: a single dose and twice-daily irradiation at a 4-h interval for 1 or 3 days. With the single dose, mitotic figures disappeared at 0. 5 h and reappeared after 2h. At the end of each multiple-dose regimen, significant numbers of mitoses could be observed at 0. 5 and 1 h but a trough was seen at 2h, with numbers then increasing again. Calculated average division delays after the single dose and repeated doses for 1 and 3 days were 1. 5, 1.3 and 1.7 h respectively. In summary, most crypt cells treated with multiple fractions remain susceptible to G 2 arrest, showing the same delay time as with the single dose.