Cell cycle checkpoint and apoptosis induction in glioblastoma cells and fibroblasts irradiated with carbon beam

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the cytotoxicity of high linear-energy-transfer (LET) ionizing radiation (IR) on glioblastoma cells and fibroblasts using different modes of cell inactivation assays. Two human glioblastoma cell lines with or without p53-mutation, and fibroblasts were used as materials. Gamma rays and 290 MeV/u carbon beams with LET values of 20, 40, 80 keV/mu m were used. To evaluate cell inactivation, we used colony formation assay, morphological detection of apoptosis, and flow-cytometry. Serial expressions of p53 and p21 were analyzed by immunoblotting. High-LET IR reduced the reproductive potency of these cells to identical levels in spite of differences in gamma-sensitivity, and yield of cell death correlated to LET values. A p53-wild- type glioblastoma cell line demonstrated a higher yield of apoptosis than other cell lines, whereas fibroblasts hardly displayed any cell death indicating senescence-like growth arrest even after high LET IR. A p53-mutant tumor cell line demonstrated very low yield of cell death with prominent G2/M arrest. Results of radiosensitivity differ according to what mode of cell inactivation is selected. While fibroblasts depend on G1 block after IR, G2/M blocks may play crucial roles in the radioresistance of p53-mutant glioblastoma cells.