Apoptosis and mechanisms induced by γ-radiation in the human leukemia T cell line Jurkat

Objective To study the time and dose kinetics of cell apoptosis induced by γ radiation in the human leukemia T cell line Jurkat and to look for the mechanisms of radiation induced apoptosis of human tumors. Methods Jurkat cells were exposed to γ radiation of 5,10,20 Gy. The radiated cells were incubated for 6,12,24,36,48h after radiation. The quantification of the apoptosis cells was performed by flow cytometry(FCM). The expression of p53 protein was examined by Western blot.Results After radiation, the proportion of apoptotic cells increased with the increment of the radiation doses and the incubation time after irradiation in a given range. The expression of p53 was absent in Jurkat cell before and after radiation. Conclusion The windows of the time and dose of cell apoptosis induced by γ radiation in Jurkat are established.Understanding of ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis being independent of p53 paves the way for looking for other mechanisms of cell apoptosis induced by γ radiation.