Abstract
Several lines of correlative evidence link transforming growth factor alpha (Tgfa, also known as TGF-α) to proliferative activity in jejunal crypt cells. It is therefore tempting to hypothesize that, as a ligand of the epidermal growth factor, it mediates the compensatory proliferative burst in the crypts after radiation-induced cell killing. We have tested this hypothesis by comparing the repopulation response of wild-type and Tgfa-null mice, using the microcolony assay. Mice were exposed whole-body to 137Cs γ rays at a dose of approximately 1.6 Gy/min. Single doses and equal doses separated by 4 and 54 h were given. The rightward shift of the dose-response curves for 54 h was identical for wild-type and Tgfa-null mice, and there was no indication of a difference in radiosensitivity. This result indicates that Tgfa is not an essential component of the proliferative response of tissue to radiation-induced cell killing.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 866-869 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Radiation research |
Volume | 155 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Radiation
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging