Effect of soft x-ray irradiation on immunological functions in mice

Effect of soft x-ray irradiation on immunological functions in mice was investigated. Soft x-ray irradiation with 100R or more induced a significant reduction in the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC). The reduction in the number of PFC depended on the irradiation doses. Irradiation with 600R or more showed a significant reduction in the delayed reaction of footpad swelling. However, soft x-ray irradiation with doses ranging from 100R to 1000R did not exert significant influence on the K values of carbon clearance test. Irradiation with 100R or more of soft x-ray showed a remarkable reduction of response to concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in spleen cells, and the response to ConA was lower than that to LPS. These results suggest that in the soft x-ray-irradiated mice, antibody-producing ability, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction and mitogenic activity are sensitive to soft x-ray irradiation and furthermore, T cell is more sensitive than B cell, but phagocytic activity of reticuloendothelial system (RES) is resistant to soft x-ray irradiation. (author)