Preliminary study on high mobility group box 1 as a biological dosimeter of ionizing radiation

Objective: To investigate the probability of high mobility group box 1 protein as a biological dosimeter of ionizing radiation. Methods: The medium of cultured human fibroblast cell line GM was collected 24 h after exposed to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays, and HMGB1 protein concentration was detected by ELISA assay, and the dose-effect curve was then fitted. The levels of HMGB1 protein was also detected after exposed to 4 Gy irradiation at 24, 48 and 72 h. Results: The level of HMGB1 protein in culture medium was increased in a dose-dependant way, and the dose-effect curve of HMGB1 level for 24 h after irradiation fitted the linear model y=0.5655+0.0358x (r=0.9339). After exposure to 4 Gy irradiation, the levels of HMGB1 protein in the culture medium were also increased time-dependently. Conclusion: The release of HMGB1 protein to neoplasm is reactivated by irradiation in GM cell. It is necessary to further the studies on HMGB1 as biological dosimeter for radiation injury protection and therapy. (authors)