Feasibility and limits of bone marrow mononuclear cell expansion following irradiation

• Published in: International journal of radiation biology Vol. 80; no. 1; pp. 73 - 81
• Main Authors: Bertho, J. M., Mathieu, E., Lauby, A., Frick, J., Demarquay, C., Gourmelon, P., Gorin, N. C., Thierry, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 01-01-2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Bone Marrow Cells - physiology; Bone Marrow Cells - radiation effects; Cell Differentiation - radiation effects; Cell Division - radiation effects; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Feasibility Studies; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization - methods; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - physiology; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - radiation effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - cytology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - physiology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - radiation effects; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Tolerance - physiology
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 1362-3095
• DOI: 10.1080/09553000310001642894

Purpose: To define the ability of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) to expand after irradiation and to determine the amount of apoptosis in irradiated expanded cells.
Materials and methods: Non-human primate BMMNC were irradiated in vitro at doses ranging from 0 to 4 Gy and were cultured during 1 week in the presence of interleukin 3, interleukin 6, stem cell factor, thrombopoietin and fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand. The expansion yield of BMMNC, colony-forming cells and CD34+ cells were compared with non-irradiated control cultures. Apoptosis in expanded cells was also defined by annexin V propidium iodine staining.
Results: Irradiation of BMMNC up to 1 Gy did not modify the ability of haematopoietic cells to expand. At higher doses, expansion of haematopoietic cells is reduced as compared with non-irradiated cultures but it remains significant. This reduction in expansion of BMMNC was related to radiation-induced apoptosis.
Conclusion: The results suggest that it is possible to expand haematopoietic cells after irradiation doses at least up to 2 Gy. This suggests a possible use of cell therapy for the treatment of radiation accident victims.