Phenotype modulation of cellular UV-sensitivity

Mammalian cell shape is critically important to cell differentiation, apopt osis, cell division, and growth arrest. In the present study we examined th e relationship among cell density, cell phenotype (which include shape and coupling) and cell survival using the human A549, H596 and H520 non-small c ell lung carcinoma lines. Thus, cells from monolayers, aggregated and suspe nded cultures at different densities were exposed to UV-radiation and both the density and the phenotype of the cells induce shifts in cellular growth rate. Except in suspended cultures, we observed a UV-sensitivity closely r elated to the proliferative status of the cells. The variability of the cel lular response to UV were investigated taking into account the shape and th e coupling potential of the cell lines, suggesting that an intercellular-co ntact mechanism provides further protection against UV-radiation damage. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.