Increased number of Cyclooxygenase 2 positive cells in the bone
marrow following 6.5GY total body irradiation
The hematopoietic system is extremely sensitive to radiation, and hematopoietic failure is one of the leading causes of mortality following acute radiation injury. Hematopoietic stem cell function requires support from a complex microenvironment in the bone marrow, and targeting microenvironmental components provides mitigation strategies to decrease acute, and late effects of radiation on the hematopoietic system. This has led our laboratory to study several pharmacologic agents as potential strategies for the treatment of radiation injury. Such strategies could be used in response to dirty bomb, or industrial accident scenarios.