Human <i>In vivo</i> Dose-Response to Controlled, Low-Dose Low Linear Energy Transfer Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Abstract

These results show for the first time that low doses of radiation have an identifiable biosignature in human tissue, irradiated in vivo with normal intact three-dimensional architecture, vascular supply, and innervation. The genes and pathways show that the tissue (a) does detect the injury, (b) initiates a stress/inflammatory response, (c) undergoes DNA remodeling, as suggested by the significant increase in zinc finger protein gene expression, and (d) initiates a "pro-survival" response. The ability to detect a distinct radiation response pattern following LDIR exposure has important implications for risk assessment in both therapeutic and national defense contexts.