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Low dose effects of ionizing radiation on normal tissue stem cells
Katrin Manda1, Joy N Kavanagh2, Dajana Buttler1
1Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University of Rostock, Suedring 75, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Mutation Research. Reviews in Mutation Research
|February 26, 2014
Summary
Normal stem cells are crucial targets for radiation-induced cancer. This review examines low-dose ionizing radiation effects on stem cells and carcinogenesis, highlighting knowledge gaps.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Stem cells' long lifespan increases susceptibility to genetic damage, making them key targets for radiation-induced carcinogenesis.
- While high-dose ionizing radiation (IR) effects on stem cells are known, research on moderate and low doses is limited.
- Understanding stem cell responses to IR is vital for cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on radiation-induced effects on normal stem cells.
- To focus on the impact of low and moderate doses of ionizing radiation (IR) on stem cells.
- To explore potential parallels between normal stem cell and cancer stem cell responses to IR.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on ionizing radiation (IR) effects on normal stem cells.
- Analysis of data concerning stem cell proliferation, cell cycle, and senescence induction by IR.
- Synthesis of information on low (<0.5Gy) and moderate (0.5-5Gy) dose IR effects.
Main Results:
- High-dose IR (>5Gy) impacts stem cell proliferation, cell cycle, and senescence.
- Limited data exists for moderate and low-dose IR effects on normal stem cells.
- The specific impact of low-dose IR (LD-IR) on stem cells as carcinogenesis targets remains understudied.
Conclusions:
- Normal stem cells are significant targets for radiation-induced carcinogenesis.
- Further research is needed on the effects of low and moderate doses of IR on normal stem cells.
- Investigating stem cell responses to IR may reveal common mechanisms with cancer stem cells, impacting radiosensitivity.
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