The Effects of Low-dose Ionizing Radiation in the Activated Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL-2H3) Mast Cells

Mast cells play important roles in many biological responses, such as those during allergic diseases and inflammatory disorders. Although laser and UV irradiation have immunosuppressive effects on inflammatory diseases by suppressing mast cells, little is known about the effects of gamma-ionizing radiation on mast cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of gamma-ionizing radiation on RBL-2H3 cells, a convenient model system for studying regulated secretion by mast cells. Low-dose radiation ( < 0.1 gray (Gy)) did not induce cell death, but high-dose radiation ( > 0.5 Gy) induced apoptosis. Low-dose ionizing radiation significantly suppressed the release of mediators (histamine, beta-hexosaminidase, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. To determine the mechanism of mediator release inhibition by ionizing radiation, we examined the activation of intracellular signaling molecules such as Lyn, Syk, phospholipase C gamma, PKCs, and MAPK, and intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+](i)). The phosphorylation of signaling molecules following stimulation of high-affinity IgE receptor I (Fc epsilon RI) was specifically inhibited by low-dose ionizing radiation (0.01 Gy). These results were due to the suppression of Fc epsilon RI expression by the low-dose ionizing radiation. Therefore, low-dose ionizing radiation (0.01 Gy) may function as a novel inhibitor of mast cell activation.