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Studies of bystander effects in human fibroblasts using a charged particle microbeam
K M Prise1, O V Belyakov, M Folkard
1Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex, UK. Michael@graylab.ac.uk
Purpose:
To determine the role of cell-to-cell mediated effects in the response of cells to different radiations by using a charged particle microbeam capable of targeting individual cells with counted particles.
Materials And Methods:
Primary human fibroblasts were irradiated conventionally with X-rays or alpha-particles and scored for the induction of micronucleated or apoptotic cell formation at various times after irradiation. Cells were also individually irradiated with helium-3 particles from a microbeam and the distribution of damaged cells between hit and non-hit cells scored.
Results:
Conventionally exposed fibroblasts showed a dose-dependent production of micronucleated and apoptotic cells 3 days after irradiation for both X-rays and alpha-particles, with a high RBE value for alpha-particles at low doses. Targeting individual alpha-particles, using a microbeam, to four cells within a population produced more micronucleated and apoptotic cells than expected on the basis of a direct effect only.
Conclusions:
This study provides direct evidence for the production of transmissible, cell-to-cell effects between hit and non-hit cells individually exposed to charged particles.