High survival of frozen cells irradiated with gamma radiation

Abstract

Cell storage in liquid nitrogen (LN) offers the most secure method of cell preservation even if cryopreserved cells are exposed to natural background of ionising radiation (IR). A lot of experiments have demonstrated that IR can induce damages in living cells, but only a little information regarding the response of cryopreserved cells is available. To investigate the effect of IR on frozen and unfrozen cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were directly irradiated at room temperature, then immediately frozen, or frozen and then irradiated in LN with different doses of gamma rays. After thawing, cells were incubated and death fraction was evaluated at different time points. Interestingly, the percentages of dead cells induced by IR gradually increased with both dose radiation and incubation time and were significantly lower for cells irradiated at -196°C than those irradiated at room temperature.

The cytoprotective role of antioxidants in mammalian cells under rapidly varying temperature, pressure and UV conditions during stratospheric balloon campaign

“…Information from cryocrystallography demonstrates that very low temperatures (-173C) stop the diffusion of free radicals caused by irradiation which leads to less harmful cell damages induced by X rays (76). Due to this fact, the increased survival of cells affected by freezing may be associated with reduced oxidative stress and damage at low temperature (74). Altogether, the data suggest that freezing can protect cells from radiation-induced damage and apoptosis, affecting cell viability after the flight.…”

“…A number of studies suggest that cryopreservation and low temperature affect the cell sensitivity to radiation (74). According to this, the data concerning utilization of frozen Chinese-hamsterfibroblasts revealed the decrease in X-ray-induced damage of cells stored at (-196)C in comparison to cells irradiated at room temperature (75).…”

The Cytoprotective Role of Antioxidants in Mammalian Cells Under Rapidly Varying UV Conditions During Stratospheric Balloon Campaign

“…A number of studies suggest that cryopreservation and low temperature affect the cell sensitivity to radiation (Cugia et al, 2011). Accordingly, the data concerning utilization of frozen Chinese hamster fibroblasts revealed the decrease in X-ray-induced damage of cells stored at −196°C in comparison to cells irradiated at room temperature (Ashwood-Smith and Friedmann, 1979).…”

“…Information from cryocrystallography demonstrates that extremely low temperatures (−173°C) stop the diffusion of free radicals caused by irradiation, which leads to less harmful cell damages induced by X-rays (Garman, 2003). Owing to this fact, the increased survival of cells affected by freezing may be associated with reduced oxidative stress and damage at low temperature (Cugia et al, 2011). Altogether, the data suggest that freezing can protect cells from radiation-induced damage and apoptosis, affecting cell viability after the flight.…”