Effect of red cells and plasma blood in determining individual lymphocytes sensitivity to diepoxybutane assessed by in vitro induced sister chromatid exchanges

Previous authors investigated individual responsiveness to mutagens by assessing cytogenetic damage following gin vitro treatment. Diepoxybutane (DEB) has been used to assess chromosome instability both in repair-deficient and normal subjects. Since bimodal distribution of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) or chromosomal aberration (CAs) frequencies has been observed in normal subjects, we investigated the possible factors determining the ‘high-respondent’ phenotype. The bimodal-shaped distribution suggested the presence of a single factor responsible far this phenotype. Our data showed that red blood cells are involved in determining the sensitivity of lymphocytes to DEB induced SCE. The existence of a polymorphic factor in red cells involved in DEB detoxification is suggested.