Gamma H2AX and miRNA 101 markers to quantify radiation absorbed dose

Abstract

Radiological accidents and nuclear terrorism pose an increased threat to members of the public who, following such an event would need to be assessed for medical care by fast triage Assay methods such as chromosome aberrations CA cytokinesis block micronucleus CBMN and fluorescence in-situ hybridization FISH techniques have been well established for dose estimation and their potential for handling more samples has also been proven with automation. However culturing of lymphocytes is an inevitable step which limits the potential of these markers for triage. In vitro analysis of gamma H2AX gene and microRNA miRNA markers do not require culturing of lymphocytes and as such have been suggested as attractive tools for triage The present thesis describes the baseline frequency of gamma H2AX and the variables affecting baseline frequency in south indian population in vitro dose response curves for gamma H2AX gene GADD45A FDXR and CDKN1A and microRNA 101 after exposed to various doses of gamma and X-rays, and the suitability of these assays for estimation of the dose in cancer patients who had undergone partial body radiotherapy The overall results suggest that the established gamma H2AX assay is suitable for detection of radiation exposure and can also provide an estimate of the dose in unknown exposures The genes and miRNA 101 markers showed increased expression, which can be used for triage nevertheless there is a need for further improvements to measure doses accurately using these markers newline