EFFECTS OF X-IRRADIATION ON FINE STRUCTURE OF HELA CELLS

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Texas Rept. Biol. Med.

OSTI ID:4022936

Hendee, W R; Zebrun, W; Bonte, F J

Structural alterations in HeLa cells following exposure to x radiation were studied as part of a larger project concerning the chemical modification of radiosensitivity in an attempt to integrate some of the observed cytologic changes into a coherent pattern of radioinduced structural alteration. The cells were examined 12 hr to 4 days after exposure to 150 to 1700 r. The most frequentiy observed differences between irradiated and nonlrradiated HeLa cells is the appearance of numerous large cytoplasmic vacuoles within irradiated specimens. This prominent vacuolization, occurring as early as 12 hr after irradiation, may be either confined within a limited area of cytoplasm or dispersed throughout the cell. Each vacuole is boun by an intensely osmiophilic membrane, with traces of a heavily strairing substance often contained both within the vacuole and along adjacent cytoplasmic membranes. A generalized loss of well-defined structure frequently occurs in areas of cytoplasm of cells fixed as early as 12 hr following x irradiation. This loss of organized structure, in association with vacuolization, encompasses a large area of cytoplasm or may be confined to well-circumscribed regions of the cytoplasm. The formation of a complex, apparently disorganized membranous networks involving a considerable area of cytoplasm and often encompassing areas characterized by a dense, amorphous granularity, is frequently observed in x-irradiated HeLa cells, as is excessive vesiculation of the Golgi zone and surrounding cytoplasm. Small, ovoid bodie s are frequently observed in x-irradiated HeLa cells, resembling structurally the so-called Roentgen-Blaeschen observed in x-irradiated Paramecium caudatum and P. aurelia and the Einschulusskoerperchen reported in gamma irradiated human cervical carcinoma cells. Cytoplasmic evaginations suggesting the occurrence of blebbing are frequently seen in HeLa cells following x irradiation, the blebs often containing mitochondria or arrays of concentric parallel membranes similar to those reported in xirradiated human amnion cells. Little structural aiteration is observed in interphase nuclei of x-irradiated HeLa cells except in the nucleoli, which often contain transparent structureless areas. Irradiated HeLa cells often contain a number of separate oval areas individually enclosed by a double limiting membrane. Some of these multiple areas contain dense, osmiophilic loci which may represent pycnotic chromatin. The magnitude of the dose seems to determine the number of affected cells rather than the degree of alteration within a single cell. Almost all HeLa cells exposed to 1000 r or more exhibit structural alteration, including cytoplasmic vacuolization and areas of ill-defined cytoplasm. At lower doses the alterations, although of sirailar appearance in those cells in which they occur, are observed in fewer cells. Most of the observed effects, including cytoplasmic vacuolization and the appearance of amorphous areas within the cytoplasm, occur within the first 12 hrs following exposure to radiation. Since a number of these alterations are also observed in nonirradiated control celIs, it is probable that they are not all specifically characteristic of radiation damage. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Dallas
• NSA Number: NSA-18-019723
• OSTI ID: 4022936
• Journal Information: Texas Rept. Biol. Med., Journal Name: Texas Rept. Biol. Med. Vol. Vol: 21
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CELL NUCLEI
CONTROL
CYTOLOGY
CYTOPLASM
DYES
HELA CELLS
IRRADIATION
MICROSCOPY
MITOCHONDRIA
MITOSIS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SEX
SUSPENSIONS
TISSUES
UTERUS
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION