Different radiosensitivity of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and effector T cells to low dose gamma irradiation in vitro.

Purpose: To determine the radiosensitivity difference of human Cluster of Differentiation (CD)4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and effector T cells to low dose gamma ray and elucidate the underlying mechanisms in vitro.Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from five health subjects and five patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treg and CD4+CD25− T cells were selected using magnetic microbeads. The proliferative profiles, cytokine secretion, and differential expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in Treg and CD4+CD25− T cells were compared using [3H]-thymidine incorporation, Luminex assay and flow cytometry when treated with various low doses of γ-ray.Results: A dose-dependent reduction of proliferation in response to irradiation which paralleled the induction of apoptosis existed in Treg and CD4+CD25− T cells. Treg were more radiosensitive to low-dose irradiation (0.94 Gray [Gy]) than effector T cells. The interferon-γ (IFNγ) was significantly upregulated and interleuki...