Karola Schuberth
Germany
Research Article
Genetically-Defined DNA Repair Capacity Determines the Extent of DNA Damage Accumulation in Healthy Mouse Tissues after Very Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation
Author(s): Stefanie Schanz, Elias Flockerzi, Karola Schuberth and Claudia E. Rübe
Stefanie Schanz, Elias Flockerzi, Karola Schuberth and Claudia E. Rübe
The biological impact of low doses of ionizing radiation on human health and the genetic factors influencing whole organism radio-sensitivity at low doses are unclear. Using mouse strains that varied in genetic DNA repair capacity (C57BL/6, ATM +/+, ATM +/-, ATM -/-, SCID), we analyzed DNA damage in differentiated cell populations of healthy tissues after repeated low doses of radiation. After 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of daily, low-dose radiation (10 mGy), persistent DNA damage foci were counted in the lung (bronchiolar and alveolar cells), heart (cardiomyocytes), and brain (cortical neurons). In all analyzed tissues, the gradual accumulation of DNA damage with increasing doses of fractionated radiation was observed. No verifiable threshold-dose was detected, even in repair-proficient organisms (C57BL/6, ATM +/+). The number of radiation-induced foci varied significantly between the d.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-2518.1000196