Complement, circulating immunocomplexes and autoantibodies after ionizing radiation exposure.

The short- and long-term effects of whole body irradiation by a single dose (4Gy) on some immunological parameters in mice have been studied. The results showed a transitory but significant impairment of classical activity of complement, high incidence of anti nuclear, anti gastric parietal cells and anti smooth muscle autoantibodies, and circulating immunocomplexes in sera on irradiated mice. These immunological changes could be related to complications developed as late manifestations of radiation effects.