We have recently reported that DNA and chromatin fragments derived from apoptotic cells that circulate in blood of human beings can readily enter into somatic cells of mice in vitro and in vivo, evoke a DNA damage repair response and integrate themselves into their genomes. However, these findings are at odds with established knowledge on two counts: first, DNA is not known to spontaneously enter into cells, and second, DNA is not known to have any intrinsic biological properties.

Following cue from the above in vitro experiments, we undertook in vivo studies of R-Cu to test its Cfs-degrading activity.

Since our study shows that Cfs are DNA damaging agents with implications for diseases associated with elevated Cfs levels, removal / degradation of Cfs could be of therapeutic value. Resveratrol (R), a plant polyphenol, is known to reduce Cu (II) to Cu (I) generating reactive oxygen species that can cleave plasmid DNA.

Radiation induced by-stander effect (RIBE) is a poorly understood phenomenon wherein non-irradiated cells show evidence of DNA damage, genomic instability, mutation and apoptosis bothin vitro and in vivo. We have observed that chromatin fragments (Cfs) that are released from dead cells resulting from radiation treatment are one of the key factors responsible for RIBE.