INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS IN EXPERIMEN TAL RADIOPATHOLOGY - THE RADIO-INDUCED INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME

The monolithic image of radiation pathology, the physiopathological me chanisms of which are limited to the conventional concept of specific ''target cell'' with mitotic and apoptotic cell death, is changing owi ng to our increasing knowledge about intercellular communications. The cellular radiationbiology is currently enriched by the ''humoral'' ra diationbiology with its concept of ''target network'' including cells and intercellular messengers. The radiation-induced disorders observed in these networks take shape in the inflammatory reaction; which is l argely involved, in the physiopathological development of the acute ra diation syndrome. These concepts of a perpetual cascade of cytokines, leading to radiation-induced late effects with no biological latent pe riod, are especially illustrated by the radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis.