Study on γH2AX Expression of Lymphocytes as a Biomarker In Radiation Biodosimetry.

Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the changes of γH2AX protein expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the dose-effect study, the expression of γH2AX was detected 1 h after irradiation with 60Co γ-rays at doses of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 Gy. Blood was cultivated for 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after 4 Gy Co γ-rays irradiation for the time-effect study. At the same time, the blood was divided into four treatment groups (ultraviolet [UV] irradiation, Co γ-rays irradiation, UV plus Co γ-rays irradiation, and control group) to detect the changes of protein expression of γH2AX. The results showed that the γH2AX protein expression was in dose-effect and time-effect relationship with Co γ-rays. The peak expression of γH2AX was at 1 h after Co γ-ray irradiation and began to decrease quickly. Compared to irradiation with Co γ-rays alone, the expression of γH2AX was not significantly changed after irradiation with Co γ-rays plus UV. Dose rate did not significantly change the expression of γH2AX. The expression of γH2AX induced by Co γ-rays was basically consistent with the mice and . The results revealed that the detection of γH2AX protein expression changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte by flow cytometry analysis is reasonable and may be useful for biodosimetry.