Terminal Differentiation of Human Fibroblasts is Induced by Radiation

Authors

H. Peter Rodemann, University of Bielefeld
Hans-Peter Peterson, Research Center Jülich
Karla Schwenke, Research Center Jülich
K. -Hartmut von Wangenheim, Research Center Jülich

Abstract

In order to analyze the effect of various kinds of radiation on the terminal differentiation processes of fibroblasts in culture, both human skin and lung fibroblasts were irradiated with electromagnetic non ionizing as well as ionizing radiation in clonal and sparse mass culture systems. As analyzed by cell biological (cell type frequencies), biochemical (collagen synthesis) and molecular markers (expression of protein PIVa) human skin and lung fibroblasts are induced to differentiate prematurely into terminal postmitotic cells. Thus, both electromagnetic and ionizing radiation induce terminal differentiation in cultured cells. These data add some new aspects for the interpretation of radiation effects on cells, e.g., in clinical therapy, as well as for the development of normal tissue responses during early and late effects after radiotherapy.

Recommended Citation

Rodemann, H. Peter; Peterson, Hans-Peter; Schwenke, Karla; and von Wangenheim, K. -Hartmut (1991) "Terminal Differentiation of Human Fibroblasts is Induced by Radiation," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 5: No. 4, Article 23.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol5/iss4/23