Background: The major aim of this study was to quantify long-term changes in bone marrow-derived cell populations after exposure to radiations of differing quality.
Materials and methods: Mice were whole-body irradiated to 2 Gy gamma, proton, carbon or iron radiation, and euthanized approximately 110 days later for immunocyte phenotyping.
Results: Splenic lymphocytes and mono/macrophages increased after gamma-rays when compared to 0 Gy and one or more of the other groups. There were high T cells (carbon vs. 0 Gy), high B cells (gamma-rays vs. 0 Gy), and low natural killer (NK) cells (proton and carbon vs. 0 Gy). All radiations, except gamma-rays, increased CD62L+ memory T cell counts, whereas CD62L+ B cells increased only after gamma-rays.
Conclusion: There were significant aberrations in many immune parameters nearly 4 months after exposure to various forms of radiation. This suggests radiation exposure can have long-term health consequences.