Modelled microgravity does not modify the yield of chromosome aberrations induced by high-energy protons in human lymphocytes

Int J Radiat Biol. 2005 Feb;81(2):147-55. doi: 10.1080/09553000500091188.

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effect of modelled microgravity on radiation-induced chromosome aberrations (CAs). G0 peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to 60 MeV protons or 250 kVp X-rays in the dose range 0-6 Gy, and allowed to repair DNA damage for 24 h under either normal gravity or microgravity modelled by the NASA-designed rotating-wall bioreactor. Cells were then stimulated to proliferate by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) under normal gravity conditions and prematurely condensed chromosomes were harvested after 48 h. CAs were scored in chromosomes 1 and 2 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Proliferation gravisensitivity was examined by cell growth curves and by morphological evaluation of mitogen-induced activation. Cell replication rounds were monitored by bromodeoxyuridine labelling. Modelled microgravity markedly reduced PHA-mediated lymphocyte blastogenesis and cell growth. However, no significant differences between normal gravity and modelled microgravity were found in the dose-response curves for the induction of aberrant cells or total interchromosomal exchange frequency. Rotating-wall bioreactor-based microgravity reproduced space-related alterations of mitogen stimulation in human lymphocytes but did not affect the yield of CAs induced by low-linear energy transfer radiation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Cell Size / radiation effects
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Aberrations / radiation effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • Protons*
  • Weightlessness Simulation / methods*

Substances

  • Protons