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Effect of gamma-irradiation on the function and viability of alveolar macrophages in mouse and rat
Y Kubota1, S Takahashi, H Sato
1Division of Radiotoxicology, National Institute of Radiological Science, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract:
The tumoricidal activity of C3H mouse alveolar macrophages (AM) was completely abolished by 100 Gy gamma-irradiation, whereas the activities of AM of C57Black/6 (B6) and Balb/c mice were not significantly affected. The viability of AM, determined by both vital staining with crystal violet and by trypan blue exclusion, was decreased markedly by gamma-irradiation only in C3H mouse AM. AM of B6, Balb/c mice and four strains of rat were much more radioresistant than C3H mouse AM with respect to cell viability. On the other hand the effect of irradiation on the colony-forming capacity of AM was essentially the same in three strains of mouse. Morphological examination of irradiated C3H mouse AM and the DNA migration pattern in agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that gamma-irradiation induced high levels of apoptosis in C3H mouse AM. These results suggest that the apoptotic cell death induced by gamma-irradiation at doses that do not affect AM of the other strains of mouse and rat explains the radiosensitivity of C3H mouse AM with respect to cell viability and tumoricidal activity.
Insights
C3H mouse alveolar macrophages (AM) undergo apoptosis and lose tumoricidal activity after gamma-irradiation, unlike other mouse strains. This radiosensitivity is linked to radiation-induced apoptotic cell death in C3H AM.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Radiobiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a crucial role in tumor immunity.
- Differential radiosensitivity among mouse strains can impact research outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential radiosensitivity of alveolar macrophages (AM) from various mouse strains.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the radiosensitivity of C3H mouse AM.
Main Methods:
- Gamma-irradiation of AM from C3H, C57Black/6 (B6), and Balb/c mice.
- Assessment of cell viability using crystal violet staining and trypan blue exclusion.
- Evaluation of colony-forming capacity post-irradiation.
- Morphological examination and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis to detect apoptosis.
Main Results:
- 100 Gy gamma-irradiation abolished tumoricidal activity and decreased viability of C3H mouse AM.
- AM from B6, Balb/c mice, and rats exhibited radioresistance in terms of cell viability.
- Gamma-irradiation induced significant apoptosis in C3H mouse AM, but not in other strains.
- Colony-forming capacity was similarly affected across mouse strains.
Conclusions:
- C3H mouse AM are uniquely sensitive to gamma-irradiation due to radiation-induced apoptosis.
- Apoptotic cell death explains the radiosensitivity of C3H AM regarding viability and tumoricidal function.
- Findings highlight strain-specific responses to radiation in immune cells.