Surface Alterations of Mammalian Cells upon Ionizing Radiation as Detected by a Lectin-binding Technique

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
X-irradiation in the dose range 0.25-5 Gy [gray] induces very early dose-dependent and temporary functional alterations in the plasma membranes of murine blood cells detected by a lectin (concanavalin A)-binding technique. The irradiated erythrocytes bind 3H-concanavalin A during the first 3 h after 0.45-4.5 Gy X-irradiation to a greater extent than the controls. The lymphocytes also react with an increased binding between 0.45 and 0.9 Gy, but a remarkable decrease is observed with 2.26 and 4.5 Gy. The platelets proved to be the most sensitive. The levels of bound radioactivity for the total platelet population and for the separated subpopulation of young cells were respectively increased by a factor of 4 and more, after 1 Gy irradiation. The functional stimulation of plasma membranes of young platelets occurred < 2 Gy; the amount of lectin bound to aged cells only increased at doses > 2 Gy.