Impact of 6 MV-LINAC Radiation on Lymphocyte Phenotypes and Cytokine Profiles
Issued Date
2025-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2673592X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105025934236
Journal Title
Radiation
Volume
5
Issue
4
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Radiation Vol.5 No.4 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Yudech P., Phongprapun W., Dankulchai P., Polpanich D., Elaissari A., Wanotayan R., Jangpatarapongsa K. Impact of 6 MV-LINAC Radiation on Lymphocyte Phenotypes and Cytokine Profiles. Radiation Vol.5 No.4 (2025). doi:10.3390/radiation5040029 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/113801
Title
Impact of 6 MV-LINAC Radiation on Lymphocyte Phenotypes and Cytokine Profiles
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Radiotherapy employs high-energy X-rays to precisely target tumor tissues while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy structures. Although its clinical efficacy is well established, the immunomodulatory effects of ionizing radiation remain complex and context-dependent. This study investigated the biological effects of radiotherapeutic doses on immune cells by evaluating lymphocyte viability, phenotypic profiles, and cytokine expression levels. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from six healthy donors and irradiated with 0, 2, or 6 Gy using a 6 MV linear accelerator (LINAC). Dose validation with an ionization chamber demonstrated strong agreement between estimated and measured values (intraclass correlation coefficient = 1, 95% CI). Immune subsets, including T cells (CD3+), helper T cells (CD3+CD4+), cytotoxic T cells (CD3+CD8+), regulatory T cells (CD3+CD4+Foxp3+), and natural killer (CD3-CD56+) cells, along with intracellular cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), were analyzed via flow cytometry at multiple time points. The results showed a significant, dose-dependent decline in overall lymphocyte viability (p < 0.01) compared to control. Cytotoxic T cells were the most radiosensitive, followed by helper and regulatory T cells, while NK cells were the most radioresistant. IL-12 expression initially increased post-irradiation, while IFN-γ levels remained variable. These findings demonstrate that radiation induces distinct alterations in immune phenotypes and cytokine profiles, which may shape the immune response. Immune profiling following irradiation may therefore provide valuable insights for optimizing combination strategies that integrate radiotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.