Thymocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis Induced by Ionizing Radiation

Authors

Vera V. Shaposhnikova, Russian Academy of Sciences
Yuri N. Korystov, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Proliferation and apoptosis of rat and mouse thymocytes caused by ionizing radiation were studied. The percentage of proliferating cells was determined by the method of colchicine metaphases and the apoptosis was estimated as DNA fragmentation. In vitro irradiation with 0.05-0.2 Gy was found to stimulate thymocyte proliferation, the maximum was observed at 0.05 Gy for mouse thymocytes and at 0.1 Gy for rat thymocytes. These doses caused a slight decrease in DNA fragmentation, as compared to control. By raising the radiation dose, proliferation was reduced and DNA fragmentation was increased. The results obtained indicate that low radiation doses stimulate cell proliferation while higher doses trigger apoptosis of thymocytes.

Recommended Citation

Shaposhnikova, Vera V. and Korystov, Yuri N. (1995) "Thymocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis Induced by Ionizing Radiation," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 9: No. 4, Article 22.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol9/iss4/22