Radiation-induced bystander effect and adaptive response in mammalian cells

• Published in: Advances in space research 2004, Vol.34 (6), p.1368-1372
• Main Authors: Zhou, H., Randers-Pehrson, G., Waldren, C.A., Hei, T.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - pharmacology; Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Adaptation, Physiological - radiation effects; Adaptive response; Alpha Particles; Animals; Bystander effect; Bystander Effect - radiation effects; CD59 Antigens - radiation effects; Cell Line; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 - radiation effects; Cricetinae; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Free Radical Scavengers - pharmacology; Gene Expression Regulation - radiation effects; Humans; Hybrid Cells - drug effects; Hybrid Cells - physiology; Hybrid Cells - radiation effects; Mammalian cells; Mutagenesis - physiology; Mutagenesis - radiation effects; Octanols - pharmacology; Particle Accelerators; Radiation; Radiation Tolerance - radiation effects; Risk Assessment - methods; X-Ray Therapy
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2003.10.049

Two conflicting phenomena, bystander effect and adaptive response, are important in determining the biological responses at low doses of radiation and have the potential to impact the shape of the dose–response relationship. Using the Columbia University charged-particle microbeam and the highly sensitive A L cell mutagenic assay, we show here that non-irradiated cells acquire mutagenesis through direct contact with cells whose nuclei have been traversed with a single alpha particle each. Pretreatment of cells with a low dose of X-rays four hours before alpha particle irradiation significantly decreased this bystander mutagenic response. Results from the present study address some of the fundamental issues regarding both the actual target and radiation dose effect and can contribute to our current understanding in radiation risk assessment.