Lack of detectable transmissible chromosomal instability after in vivo or in vitro exposure of mouse bone marrow cells to Ra-224 alpha particles

Several studies over recent years have highlighted the possibility that rad iation can induce transmissible genomic instability, Most of these involve in vitro irradiation and usually in vitro culture. Here it is reported that the short-half-life bone-seeking alpha -particle emitter Ra-224 did not in duce excess transmissible chromosomal instability in CBA/H mouse bone marro w cells in a 100-day period after in vivo or in vitro exposure. Similarly, no excess transmissible chromosomal instability could be detected after in vivo whole-body X irradiation. It was noted, however, that short-term cultu re of murine bone marrow cells elevated yields of aberrations, as did trans plantation of untreated marrow into radiation-ablated hosts. These findings emphasize the sensitivity of murine hemopoietic tissue to experimental man ipulation and reinforce the importance of appropriate concurrent control ex periments in any investigation of transmissible genomic instability. (C) 20 01 by Radiation Research Society.