A modified system for analyzing ionizing radiation-induced chromosome abnormalities

• Published in: Radiation research Vol. 177; no. 5; p. 533
• Main Authors: Shi, Lin, Fujioka, Kurumi, Sun, Jiying, Kinomura, Aiko, Inaba, Toshiya, Ikura, Tsuyoshi, Ohtaki, Megu, Yoshida, Mitsuaki, Kodama, Yoshiaki, Livingston, Gordon K, Kamiya, Kenji, Tashiro, Satoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Azure Stains; Centromere - ultrastructure; Chromosome Aberrations - radiation effects; Chromosome Breakage - radiation effects; Chromosomes, Human - radiation effects; Chromosomes, Human - ultrastructure; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Emergency Medicine - methods; Female; Gamma Rays - adverse effects; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence - methods; In Vitro Techniques; Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Lymphocytes - ultrastructure; Male; Metaphase; Middle Aged; Molecular Probes; Peptide Nucleic Acids - genetics; Radiometry - methods; Ring Chromosomes; Staining and Labeling; Telomere - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 1938-5404
• DOI: 10.1667/rr2849.1

The analysis of dicentric chromosomes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by Giemsa staining is the most established method for biological dosimetry. However, this method requires a well-trained person because of the difficulty in detecting aberrations rapidly and accurately. Here, we applied a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, using telomere and centromere peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, to solve the problem of biological dosimetry in radiation emergency medicine. A comparison by a well-trained observer found that FISH analysis of PBLs for the dose estimation was more accurate than the conventional Giemsa analysis, especially in samples irradiated at high doses. These results show that FISH analysis with centromeric/telomeric PNA probes could become the standard method for biological dosimetry in radiation emergency medicine.