The Bystander cell-killing effect mediated by nitric oxide in normal human fibroblasts varies with irradiation dose but not with radiation quality

Yokota, Yuichiro; Funayama, Tomoo; Muto, Yasuko*; Ikeda, Hiroko; Kobayashi, Yasuhiko

We investigated the dependence of the bystander cell-killing effect on radiation dose and quality, and related molecular mechanisms. Human fibroblasts were irradiated with -rays or carbon ions and co-cultured with non-irradiated cells. Survival rates of non-irradiated cells decreased and nitrite concentrations in culture medium increased with increasing doses. Their dose responses were similar between -rays and carbon ions. Treatment of the specific nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenger prevented reductions in survival rates of non-irradiated cells. Negative relationships were observed between survival rates and nitrite concentrations. From these results, it was concluded that the bystander cell-killing effect mediated by NO radicals in human fibroblasts depends on irradiation doses, but not on radiation quality. NO radical production appears to be an important determinant of -ray- and carbon-ion-induced bystander effects.