Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Measuring DNA Damage and Repair in Mouse Splenocytes After Chronic In Vivo Exposure to Very Low Doses of Beta- and Gamma-Radiation
Published on: July 3, 2015
Transcriptional response to ionizing radiation in lymphocyte subsets
M Mori1, M A Benotmane, I Tirone
1Laboratory of Radiobiology and Microbiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK.CEN), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium. mmori@sckcen.be
Abstract:
Human lymphocyte subpopulations differ in their cellular responses to ionizing radiation. To shed light on the molecular basis of this effect, we characterized the transcriptional response to 1 Gy X-rays of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Of 18,433 genes tested, 102 were modulated more than 1.5-fold. The majority of the strongly activated genes were p53 targets involved in DNA repair and apoptosis. The expression of three of these genes was further tested by quantitative RT-PCR in lymphocyte subpopulations [CD4+ and CD8+ T, CD19+ B, CD56+ natural killer cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)] from ten adult donors. In contrast to DDB2, TNFRSF10B and BAX were differentially modulated among the subpopulations and the PBLs, being more activated in irradiated CD19+ B and CD8+ T lymphocytes. The level of BAX activation in the various subpopulations correlated with the sensitivity of the cells to radiation, suggesting its possible role in the differential radiosensitivity of hematopoietic cell subsets.
Related Concept Videos
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Biological Effects of Radiation
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...