Development of a model system to study leukotriene-induced modification of radiation sensitivity in mammalian cells

Abstract

Leukotrienes (LT) are an important class of biological mediators, for which no information exists concerning their synthesis following a radiation insult, or on their ability to modify cellular response to a subsequent radiation exposure. LT are derived from arachidonic acid, as are prostaglandins, although by a separate enzyme system. Prostaglandins are able to modify radiosensitivity of mammalian cells in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the cytoprotective effect induced by prostaglandins may have significance in cancer therapy since certain breast cancers which secrete elevated levels of prostaglandins are more resistant to therapy than similar tumors without the prostaglandin elevation. The objective of this study was to define a model system in which the metabolic fate of the LT could be monitored, and the effort of LT on the ionizing radiation sensitivity of mammalian cells in vitro could also be characterized.