Effects of Radiation on Survival and Recovery of T Lymphocyte Subsets in C3H/HeN Mice
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the radiosensitivities of murine thymic and splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and to evaluate the regeneration of these cells in a model of radiation-induced hematopoietic and immune suppression. CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were quantitated using two-color flow-cytometric analysis. Cells obtained from C3H/HeN mice 24 hours after exposure to 0.25-8.0 Gy (0.4 Gy/min) Co(60) were used to determine D values. Thymic CD4+ cells contained a radiosensitive subpopulation with a D of 0.97 + or = 0.05 Gy and a radioresistant subpopulation that survived exposures up to 8.0 Gy. CD8+ cells also contained a radiosensitive subpopulation with a D of 1.24 + or - 0.05 Gy and a radioresistant subpopulation with a D of 3.93 + or - 2.01 GY. Double-positive thymic CD4+/CD8+ cells were uniformly radiosensitive, with a D of 1.03 + or - 0.28 Gy. Multiple T lymphocyte subpopulations based on radiosensitivity and CD4/CD8 antigen expression were also observed in the spleen. When mice were exposed to a sublethal 6.5-Gy radiation dose and recovery o T lymphocyte subsets was monitored, the relative radioresistance of CD4+ cells resulted in a selective enrichment of these cells among the surviving thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes. This relative enrichment of CD4+ cells became even more prominent 7 days after irradiation, when atrophy of the organs was greatest. Similar, although less dramatic, effects were observed for CD8+ cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA283006
Entities
People
- J. H. Darden
- J. L. Williams
- M. L. Patchen
- W. E. Jackson
Organizations
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute