Technical Report No. 10-90
Frequency of mutant T lymphocytes defective in the expression of the T-cell antigen receptor gene among radiation-exposed people
Kyoizumi S, Umeki S, Akiyama M, Hirai Y, Kusunoki Y, Nakamura N, Endoh K, Konishi J, Sasaki M, Mori T, Cologne JBEditor’s note: A publication based on this report was published in Mutat Res 265:173-80, 1992.
Summary
The frequency of mutant T lymphocytes defective in T-cell receptor gene (alpha or beta) expression was measured using the two-color flow cytometric technique. Results for a total of 203 atomic bomb survivors, 78 of whom were proximally exposed (DS86 doses of greater than or equal to 1.5 Gy) and 125 of whom were distally exposed (DS86 doses of < 0.005 Gy), showed that the mutant frequency was significantly higher in males than in females. No significant dose effects were observed. In contrast, a significant increase of mutant frequency was observed for six patients treated with Thorotrast, a contrast medium containing 228Th formerly used for radiodiagnosis. In addition, thyroid disease patients treated with 131I showed a dose-related increase of mutant frequency. It was suggested that the present T-cell receptor mutation assay has a unique characteristic as a biological dosimeter for the measurement of recent exposures to genotoxic agents.
The frequency of mutant T lymphocytes defective in T-cell receptor gene (alpha or beta) expression was measured using the two-color flow cytometric technique. Results for a total of 203 atomic bomb survivors, 78 of whom were proximally exposed (DS86 doses of greater than or equal to 1.5 Gy) and 125 of whom were distally exposed (DS86 doses of < 0.005 Gy), showed that the mutant frequency was significantly higher in males than in females. No significant dose effects were observed. In contrast, a significant increase of mutant frequency was observed for six patients treated with Thorotrast, a contrast medium containing 228Th formerly used for radiodiagnosis. In addition, thyroid disease patients treated with 131I showed a dose-related increase of mutant frequency. It was suggested that the present T-cell receptor mutation assay has a unique characteristic as a biological dosimeter for the measurement of recent exposures to genotoxic agents.