Radiation and Immunity

Abstract

Immunology has been extensively investigated for recent ten odd years and also has shown marked advance. It has been made known that the immune response as well as the immunologic surveillance is concerned with carcinogenesis and ageing. On the other hand, it is hardly necessary to mention that radiation carcinogenesis and shortening of life span are very important problems in the late effcets of radiation. Many investigations pertaining to the effect of radiation on immune response have been reported during a past few decades. Then, this review considers following two subjects: One is the immune response concerned with carcinogenesis and ageing, and another is the interrelationship between radiation and the immune response from two perspectives. 1) The effect of radiation on antibody production and cellular immunity. 2) The radiosensitivity of lymphocyte subpopulation.