Effect of ionizing radiation on expressions of regulatory T cells and related molecules in mice spleen / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes in expressions of spleen regulatory T cells (Tregs)and the related factor forkhead box protein-3 (Foxp3) after irradiation with different doses of X-ray in mice at different times,and to elaborate the effects of X-rays on regulatory T cells and Foxp3.Methods 112male ICR mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and irradiated by X-rays at the doses of 0.075 and 2 Gy,respectively.The mice were killed at 0,4,8,16,24,48,and 72 h post-irradiation and the spleens removed.Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Treg and protein expression of (Foxp3),and RT-PCR was used to exmiamine the mRNA expression of Fox3.Results Compared with those before irradiation,the CD4 + CD25 + Treg positive rates began to increase and peaked at 8 h post-irradiation with 0.075 Gy at 8,16,24,72 h(t = 8.73,10.55,4.21,4.65 ,P ＜ 0.05) and 2 Gy at 8,16,48,72 h(t = 4.65,4.28,3.71,2.88,P ＜ 0.05),and then slightly decreased,but still remained at high levels.The mRNA protein levels of Fox3 did not change significantly after exposure to the dose of 0.075 Gy,but began to significantly increase at 8 h after exposure to the dose of 2 Gy.However,the Foxp3 protein level began to increase 4 h post-irradiation,peaked at 16 h,and then slightly decreased,but still ramained at high levels (t =2.59,3.37,3.70,3.20,P＜0.05).Conclusions The changes in expressions of Tregs and Foxp3 after high- and low-dose X-ray irradiation may be used to explain the differences in immune effects induced by ionizing radiation at different doses.