Role of VEGF-A gene in the formation of late effects after the Chornobyl accident.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the VEGF-A gene expression and its main effects on immune cells in the Chornobyl NPP accident clean-up workers.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

VEGF-A gene expression and its main effects on immune cells were studied in 55 persons by a real-time PCR analysis and immunophenotyping of immune competent cells.

RESULTS

Disorders of regulation of neoangiogenesis were found in remote period upon radiation exposure. Elevated levels of VEGF-A gene expression correlated with TP53 gene expression in the ChNPP accident clean-up workers. Correlation was established between the percentage of the immunoregulatory T-cell subpopulations and VEGF-A expressing in the group of exposed persons and there was demonstrated a suppression of specific immune response of CD4⁻8⁺ T cells. Correlation between the percentage of CD4⁺25⁺ cells and radiation dose in a group of Chornobyl clean-up workers is not related to VEGF-A expression, so this type of immune response can be regarded as a manifestation of long-term effects after exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Some parameters were identified characterizing the state and abnormalities of the "immunity-angio-genesis" system. Those parameters could be promising in prediction of neoplastic process in remote period upon radiation exposure.