X-ray and Alkylating Agents Alter Differentiation of Surviving Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Repopulation assays indicate that erythrocyte differentiation is preferentially impaired in the progeny of progenitor cells surviving radiation or alkylating agents. This was confirmed by study of the iron incorporation into spleen colonies produced by survivors of such treatments. These colonies were characterized by a reduced size and decreased radioactive iron incorporation. Thus, it appears that radiation and alkylating agents not only affect survival of stem cells, but also alter the differentation capacities of such surviving cells.