Figure 1.

Role of immune responses and affection of the immune system in different dose ranges after whole-body exposure (or bone marrow exposure) or partial body exposure. A modulation of immune responses can be expected in all dose ranges. Anti-inflammatory effects are observed in low-dose radiotherapy (partial body exposure), and proinflammatory and immune stimulating effects in some tumor radiotherapy settings (partial body exposure), but also immune-suppressing effects might occur. In whole-body exposure to medium to high doses of ionizing radiation, exacerbation of innate immune responses, and bone marrow depression dominate the picture of acute radiation sickness.