Previously the higher phospho-ELK-1 (p-ELK-1) expression in enterocytes 24–96 h after sub-lethal irradiation was measured. Therefore, purpose of this study is to examine in vivo expression of this common ERK1/2 and JNK/SAPK target during the first hours after low-dose irradiation to assess ability of this transcriptional factor as a biodosimetric marker after the single whole-body irradiation. The laboratory rats were randomly divided into 12 groups and irradiated with whole-body gamma radiation dose of 0.25 Gy, 0.5 Gy, and 1.0 Gy. Samples of jejunum were taken 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 24 h later, the p-ELK-1 was immunohistochemically detected and then its expression was measured by computer image analysis. A significantly increased expression of p-ELK-1 in enterocytes was measured 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after 0.5 Gy and 1.0 Gy irradiation, 24 h after all radiation doses, respectively. Peak of p-ELK-1 expression was observed at 0.5 Gy at all time points after irradiation. The detection of p-ELK-1 might be considered as a perspective qualitative in vivo biodosimetric marker for military purposes expressed by proliferative cells 24 h after irradiation with doses from 0.25 Gy to 1.0 Gy.
Radiation, biodosimetry, phospho-ELK-1, image analysis, immunohistrochemistry, biomarkers
