The effect of gamma radiation on cell enlargement and size distribution of Strain L

Abstract

The effect of radiation (500–1500 R) on the enlargement and size distribution of Strain L cells in monolayer culture was studied. The average cell volume, total culture volume, total cell number and cell size distribution were correlated with the degree of radiation injury and recovery during a 4-day postirradiation (PI) period. Cultures irradiated with 500 R resulted in an inhibition in cell division and giantism followed by recovery, a moderate depression in culture volume, and shifts in cell size distribution toward normal values during the 4-day PI period. Cultures irradiated with 1000 and 1500 R also showed dose-correlated inhibition of cell multiplication and giantism. However, these doses had virtually equivalent effects on total culture volume and cell size distribution. The increase in cell size was directly proportional to the three doses used. Cultures irradiated with 1000 R (on the 4th day PI) showed size changes which reflect a recovery process the cells undergo after the initial enlargement. These data support the view that the factors associated with cell divisior are much more sensitive than those associated with cell growth.