Abstract
This study aims to assess utilisation of the ratio of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes (RL/G of γ-H2AX) in blood as a rapid method for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies. Blood samples from healthy volunteers exposed to 0–10 Gy of 60Co irradiation were collected. The samples were cultured for 0–24 h and then analysed using flow cytometry to measure the levels of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes and granulocytes. The basal RL/G levels of γ-H2AX in healthy human blood, the response of RL/G of γ-H2AX to ionising radiation and its relationship with doses, time intervals after exposure and individual differences were also analysed. The level of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes increased in a dose-dependent manner after irradiation, whereas the level in granulocytes was not affected. A linear dose–effect relationship with low inter-experimental and inter-individual variations was observed. The RL/G of γ-H2AX may be used as a biomarker for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies if blood samples can be collected within 24 h.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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The written informed consent from volunteers and ethical approval from the Subcommittee on human investigation of the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (2012-0128) were obtained before experiment.
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Wang, Z., Hu, H., Hu, M. et al. Ratio of γ-H2AX level in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes detected using flow cytometry as a potential biodosimeter for radiation exposure. Radiat Environ Biophys 53, 283–290 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-014-0530-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-014-0530-0