Effect of low dose irradiation on subsets of T-lymphocyte of peripheral blood, spleen and tumor tissue

Purpose: In order to understand the mechanism of the stimulation effects of low dose radiation (LDR), the author observed the immune changes of T-lymphocyte subsets. Meteria and methods: Whole body of BALB/C bring-tumor mice were exposed to the doses of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cGy γ-rays. The changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood, spleen and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) were studied with flow cytometry (FCM). Results: the ratio of L3T4+/Lyt2+ remarkable increased in the peripheral blood and spleen (p<0.01) and the ratio of L3T4+/Lyt2+ further decreased in the TIL group of mice exposed 10 cGy (p<0.05). Conclusion: The authors suggested that the immune functions were promoted by the stimulating effects of LDR of γ-rays in the bodies of the bring-tumor mice. CTL, expressing Lyt2+ molecules, were concentrated in the tumor tissues and they carried out the killing function to the tumor cells