The HUMNxl scoring criteria for different cell types and nuclear anomalies in the buccal micronucleus cytome assay - an update and expanded photogallery

Abstract

The buccal micronucleus cytome assay is a minimally invasive cytological and interphase cytogenetic technique for measuring DNA damage and cell death biomarkers in the oral epithelium. In this report we provide an updated and more comprehensive version of the cellular and nuclear scoring criteria used in the assay accompanied with a photogallery of the various cell types and nuclear anomalies. These detailed scoring criteria complement previous published protocols of this assay and form the basis for guiding intra- and inter-laboratory slide scoring comparisons. The scoring criteria update described in this paper is the outcome of ongoing efforts of the HUMN and HUMNxl projects (www.humn.org) to standardize the application of micronucleus assay for use in human biomonitoring and to update procedures as knowledge on mechanisms and technical capability improvements.

Keywords: Biomonitoring; Buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMcyt); DNA damage; Exfoliated cells.