Characteristics of radiation-induced bystander effect; Participation of nitric oxide

Yokota, Yuichiro; Funayama, Tomoo; Ikeda, Hiroko; Kobayashi, Yasuhiko

Our article published on the International Journal of Radiation Biology (2015) was reviewed. 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 co-culture medium increased with dose. 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 depends on irradiation doses, but not on radiation quality. NO radical production appears to be an important determinant of bystander effects.