Summary
-
1.
Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation studies were made of neurons maintained in cultures of dorsal root ganglia of the newborn rat. Irradiation dosages to the culture chambers varied from 5000 to 100000 r, at dose rates of 1000 to 9500 r/min.
-
2.
The morphological changes observed postirradiation were: (a) a reduction of the average cytoplasmic and nuclear areas, (b) peripheral displacements of the nuclei, and (c) alterations in cytoplasmic organization.
-
3.
At a dose of 7200 r, manifestations of injury to the neurons were not observed until at least a week after radiation. However, at 20500 r, marked changes were seen within 4 days after irradiation. At 100000 r complete neuronal destruction occurred within 3 or 4 days.
-
4.
Characteristic of the neuronal response to radiation was the individual variation of sensitivity. At 41000 r, some neurons were found to exhibit nuclear rotation 42 days after exposure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bacq, Z. M., et A. Herve: Protection chimique contre le rayonnement-x. Bull. Acad. roy, Med. Belge 17(1), 13–58 (1952).
Clemente, C. D., and H. E. Richardson Jr.: Some observations on radiation effects on the blood-brain barrier and cerebral blood vessels. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 411–428. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Duve, C. de: Lysosomes, a new group of cytoplasmic particles. In: Subcellular particles (T. Hayashi, ed.), pp. 128–159. New York: Ronald Press 1959.
Hager, H., W. Hirschberger and A. Breit: Electron microscope observations on the x-irradiated central nervous system of the Syrian hamster. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 261–275. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Haymaker, W., G. L. Laquer, W. J. H. Nauta, J. E. Pickering, J. C. Sloper and F. S. Vogel: The effects of barium 140-lanthanum 140 (gamma) radiation on the central nervous system and pituitary gland of macaque monkeys. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol. 17, 12–57 (1958).
Hicks, S. P., K. A. Wright and K. E. Leigh: Time-intensity factors in radiation response. I. The acute effects of megavolt electrons (cathode rays) and high- and low-energy x-rays with special reference to the brain. Arch. Path. 61, 226–238 (1956).
Hild, W., and I. Tasaki: Morphological and physiological properties of neurons and glial cells in tissue culture. J. Neurophysiol. 25, 277–304 (1962).
Hood, S. L., and G. Norris: Dosimetry of human cell cultures irradiated at the interface in plastic and in glass dishes. Radiat. Res. 14, 705–712 (1961).
Janssen, P., I. Klatzo, J. Miquel, T. Brustad, A. Behar, W. Haymaker, J. Lyman, J. Henry and C. Tobias: Pathologic changes in the brain from exposure to alpha particles from a 60 inch cyclotron. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 383–409. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Larsson, B., L. Leksell, B. Rexed and P. Sourander: Effect of high energy protons on the spinal cord. Acta radiol. (Stockh.) 51, 52–64 (1959).
Markovin, D., and A. Feldman: Dosimetry in living cells irradiated in glass: a correction. Brit. J. Radiol. 32, 282 (1959).
Murray, M. R.: Factors bearing on myelin formation in vitro. In: Biology of myelin (S.R. Korey, ed.), pp. 201–229. New York: Hoeber-Harper Publ. 1959.
Okada, S., and L. D. Peachey: Effect of gamma radiation on the desoxyribonuclease II activity of isolated mitochondria. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 239–247 (1957).
Scholz, W., W. Scholte and W. Hirschberger: Morphological effect of repeated low dosage and single high dosage application of x-irradiation to the central nervous system. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 211–232. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Schümmelfeder, N.: Sequence of x-radiation damage in mouse cerebellum. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 191–210. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Vogel, F. S.: Changes in the fine structure of cerebellar neurons following ionizing radiation. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol. 18, 580–589 (1959).
—: Effects of high-dose gamma radiation on the brain and on individual neurons. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 249–260. New York: Academic Press 1962.
—, C. G. Hoak, J. C. Sloper and W. Haymaker: The induction of acute morphological changes in the central nervous system and pituitary body of macaque monkeys by cobalt 60 (gamma) radiation. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol. 17, 138–150 (1958).
Wilson, S. G.: Radiation induced central nervous system death. A study of the pathologic findings in monkeys irradiated with massive doses of cobalt60 (gamma) radiation. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol. 19, 195–215 (1960).
Zeman, W., H. J. Curtis, E. L. Gebbard and W. Haymaker: Tolerance of mouse brain tissue to high-energy deuterons. Science 130, 1760–1761 (1959).
—, D. G. Scarpelli and R. Kleinfeld: Chemical and enzymatic changes in nerve cells irradiated with high energy deuteron microbeams. In: Response of the nervous system to ionizing radiation (T. J. Haley and R. S. Snider, ed.), pp. 429–439. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by funds provided under Contract AF 41 (657)—357 with the School of Aerospace Medicine, USAF Aerospace Medical Center (ATC), Brooks Air Force Base, Texas.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Quastel, M.R., Pomerat, C.M. Irradiation of cells in tissue culture. Z. Zellforsch. 59, 214–223 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320446
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320446