Consistency of T-cell receptor gene mutation between lymphocytes in rats after irradiation in vivo and in vitro

Objective To observe the consistency of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes mutation in lymphocytes in rats after irradiation in vivo and in vitro.Methods A total of 48 female rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups.Peripheral blood samples from them were collected to separate the lymphocytes and then irradiated to X-ray irradiation with the dose rate of 200 cGy/min at the doses of 0,0.5,0.75,1.0,2.0,and 3.0 Gy,respectively.Then all the lymphocyte samples were cultured for 7 days.Flow cytometry with direct immunofluorescence was used to detect the TCR gene mutation.The levels of TCR gene mutant frequency (TCRMF) of different groups were calculated.Results The TCRMF levels of different groups after irradiation in vivo and in vitro all displayed a dose-dependent manner and there were no significant differences in the TCRMF between different dose irradiation groups(t = -1.1-0.3 ,P ＞0.05).Conclusions A consistency of TCRMF after irradiation in vivo and in vitro is proven.The results of TCRMF of peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro by flow cytometry can precisely reflect the TCR genes mutation after whole-body irradiation. Key words: T-cell receptor gene; Biological dosimeter; Irradiation in vivo; Irradiation in vitro