Production of a signal by irradiated cells which leads to a response in unirradiated cells characteristic of initiation of apoptosis
2000
Signal from Irradiated Cells Induces Apoptosis in Unirradiated Cells
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Lyng F M, Seymour C B, Mothersill C
Primary Institution: Radiation Science Centre, Dublin Institute of Technology
Hypothesis
Can medium from irradiated cells induce apoptosis in unirradiated cells?
Conclusion
Irradiated cells produce a signal that can initiate apoptosis in cells that were never exposed to radiation.
Supporting Evidence
- Irradiated cells caused rapid calcium fluxes in unirradiated cells within 30 seconds.
- Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in unirradiated cells after exposure to the medium from irradiated cells.
- Increases in reactive oxygen species were noted from 6 hours after medium transfer.
- The number of apoptotic cells increased 48 hours after medium transfer.
- Clonogenic survival was significantly reduced after 9 days.
Takeaway
When cells are exposed to radiation, they send out a signal that can make nearby cells start to die, even if those nearby cells weren't exposed to the radiation.
Methodology
Medium from irradiated human keratinocytes was transferred to unirradiated keratinocytes, and various apoptotic markers were monitored over 24 hours.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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