Radiation effects on cultured human monocytes and on monocyte-derived
macrophages
ES Buescher and JI Gallin
Prior to administration, leukocyte transfusions are commonly irradiated
with up to 5,000 R to eliminate lymphocytes and thereby prevent graft-
versus-host disease in the recipient. It has been widely believed that
phagocytes are resistant to this irradiation. In a recent report, we noted
that phagocyte oxidative metabolism was compromised during preparation of
white cells for transfusion. As part of our effort to examine the basis for
this inhibition of phagocyte function during white cell preparation, we
assessed the effects of irradiation on the long-lived monocytes that have
been shown to persist at inflammatory foci posttransfusion. Human monocytes
were irradiated for up to 3 min, receiving 2,500-5,000 R. This irradiation
damaged human monocytes, significantly decreasing their in vitro survival
for the first 3 wk of culture (p less than 0.02, irradiated versus control
survival), and growth as assessed by two-dimensional cell size measurements
during the first 2 wk of culture (p less than 0.01, irradiated versus
control growth). Despite smaller cell size, total cell protein was
significantly increased over time in irradiated cultures (p less than
0.001, irradiated versus control total protein per cell). Extracellular
release of lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase per cell was not affected by
irradiation, but extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was
significantly increased after irradiation (p less than 0.001, irradiated
versus control LDH release). Irradiated monocytes killed Listeria
monocytogenes at a slower rate than the nonirradiated controls (p less than
0.05, irradiated versus control rate of killing). Thus, the data indicate
that irradiation in doses used to prevent graft- versus-host disease in
leukocyte transfusion recipients has a deleterious effect on in vitro human
monocyte survival and function.
Volume 63,
Issue 6,
pp. 1402-1407,
06/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology
