Chromosome aberrations of clonal origin are present in astronauts’ blood lymphocytes
Abstract
Radiation-induced chromosome translocations remain in peripheral blood cells over many years, and can potentially be used to measure retrospective doses or prolonged low-dose rate exposures. However, several recent studies have indicated that some individuals possess clones of cells with balanced chromosome abnormalities, which can result in an overestimation of damage and, therefore, influence the accuracy of dose calculations. We carefully examined the patterns of chromosome damage found in the blood lymphocytes of twelve astronauts, and also applied statistical methods to screen for the presence of potential clones. Cells with clonal aberrations were identified in three of the twelve individuals. These clonal cells were present in samples collected both before and after space flight, and yields are higher than previously reported for healthy individuals in this age range (40-52 years of age). The frequency of clonal damage appears to be even greater in chromosomes prematurely condensed in interphase, when compared with equivalent analysis in metaphase cells. The individuals with clonal aberrations were followed-up over several months and the yields of all clones decreased during this period. Since clonal aberrations may be associated with increased risk of tumorigenesis, it is important to accurately identify cells containing clonal rearrangements for risk assessment as well as biodosimetry.
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Interpretation of studies on chromosomal aberrations in astronauts and cosmonauts is limited by significant individual variability and insufficient statistical power.
“However, interpretation of these studies is limited by significant individual variability and insufficient statistical power [37,38,39,40].”
From Space Radiation: The number one risk to astronaut health beyond low earth orbit (2014) · cites this paper as [39]
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- Authors
- George, K., Durante, M., Willingham, V., & Cucinotta, F. A.
- Affiliations
- Wyle (United States) (US)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- Venue
- Cytogenetic and Genome Research
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2004
- Volume
- 104
- Issue
- 1-4
- Pages
- 245-251
- ISSN
- 1424-859X (ISSN-L)
- 1424-8581
- OpenAlex
- W2059884587
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cytogenetic and Genome Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Effects of Radiation Exposure
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Keywords
- clonal chromosomal abnormalities, astronauts, space radiation exposure, blood lymphocytes, biological dosimetry, low-dose-rate exposure
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Chromosome Aberrations, Chromosomes, Human, Clone Cells, Humans, Lymphocytes, Middle Aged, Space Flight, Translocation, Genetic, Occupational Exposure, In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence, Astronauts, Chromosome Breakage
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