Induction and detection of bystander effects after combined treatment of cells with 5-bromo2-deoxyurine, Hoechst 33 258 and ultraviolet A light

Purpose: A combined treatment of cells with 5-bromo-2ʹ-deoxyurine (BrdU), Hoechst 33 258 and Sultraviolet A (UVA) light was used to introduce chromosomal aberrations in cells for the study of bystander effects in non-labelled cells. Materials and methods: Mixtures of BrdU-labelled and non-labelled Chinese hamster cells (V79) in S phase were exposed to Hoechst 33 258 and/or UVA light. Metaphase cells were collected and analysed for chromosomal aberrations by Giemsa staining. BrdU immunostaining was performed to verify BrdU incorporation in the cells. Results: Combined treatment with BrdU, Hoechst dye and UVA light induced reduced cell survival and increased chromosomal aberrations, whereas treatment with Hoechst 33 258 and/or UVA light had no effect on cells. Elevated frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were found in nonlabelled cells mixed with BrdU-labelled cells and exposed to Hoechst dye and UVA light, suggesting the induction of bystander effects by damaged BrdU-labelled cells. These bystander clastogenic effects were also observed in non-labelled cells mixed with dying cells, indicating a contribution of dying cells in the induction of the bystander effects. Conclusions: The combined treatment with BrdU, Hoechst 33 258 and UVA light is a valid method for the study of bystander effects as it enables both induction of DNA damage and discrimination of targeted cells and bystander cells.