Low dose radiation response in endothelial cells as biological model for radiation-related cardiovascular risks

Charlotte Rombouts, An Aerts, Michaël Beck, Winnok De Vos, Hans Vanmarcke, Patrick Van Oostveldt, Rafi Benotmane, Sarah Baatout

Research outputpeer-review

Abstract

Below 0.5 Gy there is no clear dose-risk relationship for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Biological understanding of radiation-related CVD is required for defining accurately the dose-risk relationship. The endothelium forms the inner layer of the cardiovascular system and its physiological actions maintain normal cardiovascular functioning. Endothelial cells are thus considered a critical target in radiation-related CVD. Therefore, we evaluated the low (<0.5 Gy) and high (2; 5 Gy) dose radiation response, with respect to DNA damage and repair, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and its immortalized derivative, the EA.hy926 cell line. We demonstrated for the first time that acute low doses of X-rays induce DNA damage and apoptosis in endothelial cells. More radiation-induced apoptosis occurred in EA.hy926 cells implying a higher radiosensitivity of EA.hy926 compared to HUVEC for this endpoint, which should be taken into account when using these cells as models for studying the endothelium radiation response. Furthermore, our results point to a non-linear dose-response relationship for DNA damage in endothelial cells. Overall, our findings indicating cellular effects below 0.5 Gy, may influence on the long term the current radio protection system that assumes a threshold dose for non-cancer effects
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnalen van de Belgische Vereniging voor Stralingsbescherming
Place of PublicationBelgium
Pages289-298
StatePublished - 29 Jan 2014
EventInternational Symposium 50 Years BVS - ABR: Challenges for Radiological Protection for the next 50 Years - Belgian Association for Radiological Protection BVS-ABR, Brussels
Duration: 8 Apr 201310 Apr 2013

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium 50 Years BVS - ABR: Challenges for Radiological Protection for the next 50 Years
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityBrussels
Period2013-04-082013-04-10

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