Effects of mixed neutron-gamma irradiation in vivo on the cell surfaces of murine blood cells.

For studies on cell membranes, mice were exposed to mixed neutron + gamma reactor-radiation in the range of total doses from 0.5 to 4.5 Gy. Changes in functional activity of plasma membranes of erythrocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes were followed by a lectin-binding technique at various intervals afterwards. The amount of 3H-concanavalin A bound to cells altered considerably during the 1st h after irradiation in all cell types. Lymphocytes and platelets, however, were more sensitive than erythrocytes as increased lectin-binding could already be observed after 0.5 Gy. The binding ability of these cells performed oscillatory behaviour. In addition, alterations in shapes and ultrastructure of cell surfaces and intracellular membranes were observed.