The changes and significance of c-kit expression in the irradiated bone marrow of mice.

There have been only a few studies on the expression of c-kit in bone marrow after radiation and radiation-induced apoptosis of hematopoietic cells. LACA mice were examined after irradiation with a dose of 60Co gamma-rays. Using a light microscope, electron microscope, and immunohistochemistry, we studied radiation-induced apoptosis of hematopoietic cells and the expression of c-kit. We found that 5.5 Gy total body irradiation was a sublethal dose for LACA mice, induced suppression of leukocytes in blood, and of nucleated cells in bone marrow. Apoptosis of the hematopoietic cells occurred within 1 day after irradiation. The expression of c-kit was related to the recovery of hematopoiesis and played an important role in early hematopoiesis.