Expression of Genes Involved in a Radiation-Induced Bystander Effect

Hayley Furlong, Dublin Institute of Technology

Document Type Presentation

Irish Radiation Research Society Scientific Meeting

8th/9th October 2010

Dublin Institute of Technology Kevin St

Abstract

EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED IN A RADIATION-INDUCED BYSTANDER EFFECT Hayley Furlong1,2,*, Carmel Mothersill3, Louis Armstrong2, Orla Howe1,2

1 Radiation and Environmental Science Centre, Focas Research Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St, Dublin 8. 2Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St, Dublin 8. 3Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, Nuclear Research Building, 1280 Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1

*Presenter, Post-Graduate Student Introduction:

The radiation induced bystander effect is relevant to carcinogenesis, itmay have significant implications for risk estimation for radiation exposure. Currently the mechanisms and cellular events are the subject of intense investigation, because little is known. It is thought that the radiation induced bystander response is due to a bystander factor secreted in the medium post irradiation. The biological nature of this factor is currently unknown, but it is thought to be a protein of some sort that may be involved in the apoptosis cascade. Materials and Methods: HaCaT epithelial cells were used in this study and exposed to 0, 0.5 and 0.05Gy low doses of ionising radiation (IR). The medium was harvested from the cultures post-IR and placed on recipient HaCaT cells for different time points. RNA was extracted from the cells using the TriReagent protocol and stored for subsequent gene expression studies. Specific genes were selected for this study, in particular those involved in the apoptotic cascade. Primer design and primer optimisation methods were carried out to establish definite primer temperatures using conventional PCR for the subsequent Real –time PCR gene expression studies. Results: Preliminary gene expression data will be shown along with standardisation results of the specific apoptosis genes under investigation in this study. Discussion: This data could contribute to the discovery of some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the production of a radiation induced bystander effect and will therefore have potential clinical relevance for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment.