Oxidative lipidomics of γ-radiation-induced lung injury: mass spectrometric characterization of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine peroxidation

Oxidative damage plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of γ-radiation-induced lung injury. Endothelium is a preferred target for early radiation-induced damage and apoptosis. Given the newly discovered role of oxidized phospholipids in apoptotic signaling, we performed oxidative lipidomics analysis of phospholipids in irradiated mouse lungs and cultured mouse lung endothelial cells. C57BL/6NHsd female mice were subjected to total-body irradiation (10 Gy, 15 Gy) and euthanized 24 h thereafter. Mouse lung endothelial cells were analyzed 48 h after γ irradiation (15 Gy). We found that radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro was accompanied by non-random oxidation of phospholipids. Cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine were the major oxidized phospholipids, while more abundant phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine) remained non-oxidized. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis revealed the formation of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine oxygenated molecular species in the irradiated lung and cells. Analysis of fatty acids after hydrolysis of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine by phospholipase A(2) revealed the presence of mono-hydroperoxy and/or mono-hydroxy/mono-epoxy, mono-hydroperoxy/mono-oxo molecular species of linoleic acid. We speculate that cyt c-driven oxidations of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine associated with the execution of apoptosis in pulmonary endothelial cells are important contributors to endothelium dysfunction in γ-radiation-induced lung injury.

A phase I study of concurrent chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) and thoracic radiotherapy with swallowed manganese superoxide dismutase plasmid liposome protection in patients with locally advanced stage III non-small-cell lung cancer

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a genetically engineered therapeutic DNA/liposome containing the human MnSOD transgene. Preclinical studies in mouse models have demonstrated that the expression of the human MnSOD transgene confers protection of normal tissues from ionizing irradiation damage. This is a phase I study of MnSOD plasmid liposome (PL) in combination with standard chemoradiation in surgically unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) was given weekly (for 7 weeks), concurrently with radiation. MnSOD PL was swallowed twice a week (total 14 doses), at three dose levels: 0.3, 3, and 30 mg. Dose escalation followed a standard phase I design. Esophagoscopy was done at baseline, day 4, and 6 weeks after radiation with biopsies of the squamous lining cells. DNA was extracted and analyzed by PCR for the detection of the MnSOD transgene DNA. Ten patients with AJCC stage IIIA (three) and IIIB (seven) completed the course of therapy. Five had squamous histology, two adenocarcinoma, one large cell, and two not specified. Patients were treated in three cohorts at three dose levels of MnSOD PL: 0.3 (three patients), 3 (three patients), and 30 mg (four patients). The median dose of radiation was 77.7 Gy (range 63-79.10 Gy). Overall response rate for the standard chemoradiation regimen was 70% (n = 10). There were no dose-limiting toxicities reported in all three dosing tiers. It is concluded that the oral administration of MnSOD PL is feasible and safe. The phase II recommended dose is 30 mg.

The Use of 3,5,4'-Tri-O-acetylresveratrol as a Potential Pro-drug for Resveratrol Protects Mice from γ-Irradiation-Induced Death

Currently, no drugs are available to protect humans from γ-irradiation-induced death. Because reactive oxygen species are produced upon exposure to γ-irradiation and directly responsible for the resulting death, we hypothesized that antioxidants found in foodstuffs may provide a safe and potent means of antioxidant-dependent radioprotection. Here, we describe our studies investigating the radioprotective properties of resveratrol and 3,5,4'-tri-O-acetylresveratrol. Each of these natural antioxidants was found to protect live cells after γ-irradiation. In mice, the use of 3,5,4'-tri-O-acetylresveratrol with Cremophor EL was particularly effective, indicating that this natural antioxidant may be a leading candidate for radioprotective drug development.

Modulation of in utero total body irradiation induced newborn mouse growth retardation by maternal manganese superoxide dismutase-plasmid liposome (MnSOD-PL) gene therapy

To determine the effects of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) plasmid liposome (PL) maternal radioprotection on fetal mice, timed pregnant female mice (E14 gestation) were irradiated to 3.0 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) dose, and the number, weight and growth and development over 6 months after birth of newborn mice was quantitated compared with irradiated controls. Maternal MnSOD-PL treatment at E13 improved pup survival at birth (5.4±0.9 per litter) compared with non-irradiated 3.0 Gy controls 4.9±1.1. There was no statistically significant difference in newborn abnormalities, male to female ratio in newborn litters, or other evidence of teratogenesis in surviving newborn mice from MnSOD-PL treated compared with irradiated controls. However, E14 3 Gy irradiated pups from gene therapy-treated mothers showed a significant increase in both growth and overall survival over 6 months after birth (P=0.0022). To determine if transgene product crossed the placenta pregnant E13 mice were injected intravenously with hemagglutinin-epitope-tagged MnSOD (100 μg plasmid in 100 μl liposomes), then after 24 h, fetal mice, placentas and maternal tissues were removed and tested by both immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-PCR for transgene and product. There was no evidence of transgene or product in placenta or any fetal tissue while maternal liver was positive by both assays. The data provide evidence for fetal radioprotection by maternal MnSOD-PL gene therapy before irradiation, which is mediated by an indirect bystander effect and is associated with a significant improvement in both survival at birth and growth and development of newborn mice.

Intraesophageal administration of GS-nitroxide (JP4-039) protects against ionizing irradiation-induced esophagitis

BACKGROUND/AIM

this study evaluated esophageal radioprotection by the Gramicidin S (GS) derived-nitroxide, JP4-039, a mitochondrial targeting peptide-isostere covalently-linked to 4-amino-Tempo, delivered in a novel swallowed oil-based (F15) formulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6HNsd female mice received intraesophageal F15 formulation containing JP4-039 (4 mg/ml in 100 microl volumes) 10 minutes before 28 or 29 Gy upper body irradiation compared to MnSOD-PL (100 microl containing 100 microg plasmid) 24 hours prior to irradiation. Subgroups received 1 × 10(7) C57BL/6HNsd, GFP(+) male bone marrow cells intravenously 5 days after irradiation.

RESULTS

JP4-039/F15 or MnSOD-PL increased survival compared to irradiated controls (p<0.0001 for either). Marrow injection further increased survival (p=0.0462 and 0.0351, respectively). Esophagi removed at 1, 3, 7, 14, 24, or 60 days showed bone marrow-derived cells in the esophagi.

CONCLUSION

intraesophageal GS-nitroxide radioprotection is mediated primarily through recovery of endogenous esophageal progenitor cells.

Intraesophageal manganese superoxide dismutase-plasmid liposomes ameliorates novel total-body and thoracic radiation sensitivity of NOS1-/- mice

The effect of deletion of the nitric oxide synthase 1 gene (NOS1(-/-)) on radiosensitivity was determined. In vitro, long-term cultures of bone marrow stromal cells derived from NOS1(-/-) were more radioresistant than cells from C57BL/6NHsd (wild-type), NOS2(-/-) or NOS3(-/-) mice. Mice from each strain received 20 Gy thoracic irradiation or 9.5 Gy total-body irradiation (TBI), and NOS1(-/-) mice were more sensitive to both. To determine the etiology of radiosensitivity, studies of histopathology, lower esophageal contractility, gastrointestinal transit, blood counts, electrolytes and inflammatory markers were performed; no significant differences between irradiated NOS1(-/-) and control mice were found. Video camera surveillance revealed the cause of death in NOS1(-/-) mice to be grand mal seizures; control mice died with fatigue and listlessness associated with low blood counts after TBI. NOS1(-/-) mice were not sensitive to brain-only irradiation. MnSOD-PL therapy delivered to the esophagus of wild-type and NOS1(-/-) mice resulted in equivalent biochemical levels in both; however, in NOS1(-/-) mice, MnSOD-PL significantly increased survival after both thoracic and total-body irradiation. The mechanism of radiosensitivity of NOS1(-/-) mice and its reversal by MnSOD-PL may be related to the developmental esophageal enteric neuronal innervation abnormalities described in these mice.

Screening of antimicrobial agents for in vitro radiation protection and mitigation capacity, including those used in supportive care regimens for bone marrow transplant recipients

Antibiotic and antifungal agents used in supportive care regimens for bone marrow transplantation recipients contribute to a significant dose-modifying effect of otherwise lethal total body irradiation. To determine whether drugs used in supportive care and other commonly used antibiotics such as tetracycline function as radiation protectors or damage mitigators in vitro, 13 drugs were tested for radiation protection and radiation damage mitigation of 32D cl 3 hematopoietic progenitor cells in clonagenic survival curves in vitro. Antibiotic/Antifungal agents including cilastatin, amikacin, ceftazidine, vancomycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, methacycline, minocycline, meclocycline, oxytetracycline and rolitetracycline were added in 1, 10, or 100 micromolar concentrations to murine interleukin-3-dependent hematopoietic progenitor cell line 32D cl 3 cells either before or after irradiation of 0 to 8 Gy. Control irradiated 32D cl 3 cells showed radiosensitivity comparable to freshly explanted mouse marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells (D(0) 1.1+/-0.1 Gy, N 1.5+/-0.4). Positive control GS-nitroxide JP4-039 (known radiation mitigator) treated 32D cl 3 cells were radioresistant (D(0) 1.2+/-0.1, N 5.8+/-2.4 (p=0.009)). Of the 13 drugs tested, tetracycline was found to be a significant radiation mitigator (D(0) 0.9+/-0.1, N 13.9+/-0.4 (p=0.0027)). Thus, the radiation dose-modifying effect of some antibiotics, but not those currently used in the supportive care (antibiotic/antifungal regimens) for marrow transplant patients, may act as radiation damage mitigators for hematopoietic cells as well as decreasing the growth and inflammatory response to microbial pathogens.

Effectiveness of combined modality radiotherapy of orthotopic human squamous cell carcinomas in Nu/Nu mice using cetuximab, tirapazamine and MnSOD-plasmid liposome gene therapy

Hypoxic regions limit the radiocontrollability of head and neck carcinomas. Whether or not combinations of plasmid/liposome mediated overexpression of normal tissue protective manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), cetuximab (C225), and the hypoxic cytotoxin tirapazamine (TPZ) enhanced radiotherapeutic effects was tested in a CAL-33 orthotopic mouse cheek tumor model. The tumor volume continued to increase in the control (untreated) mice, with a ninefold increase by 10 days when the tumors exceeded 2 cm(3). The mice receiving 14 Gy only showed reduced tumor growth to 3.1+/-0.1 fold at day 10. The mice receiving MnSOD-PL, C225, TPZ plus 14 Gy had the best outcome with 0.7+/-0.1 fold increase in tumor volume by 10 days (p=0.015) compared to irradiation only. The addition of MnSOD-PL, TPZ, and C225 to irradiation optimized the therapeutic ratio for the local control of hypoxic region-containing CAL-33 orthotopic tumors.

Synthetic protection short interfering RNA screen reveals glyburide as a novel radioprotector

To assist in screening existing drugs for use as potential radioprotectors, we used a human unbiased 16,560 short interfering RNA (siRNA) library targeting the druggable genome. We performed a synthetic protection screen that was designed to identify genes that, when silenced, protected human glioblastoma T98G cells from gamma-radiation-induced cell death. We identified 116 candidate protective genes, then identified 10 small molecule inhibitors of 13 of these candidate gene products and tested their radioprotective effects. Glyburide, a clinically used second-generation hypoglycemic drug, effectively decreased radiation-induced cell death in several cell lines including T98G, glioblastoma U-87 MG, and normal lung epithelial BEAS-2B and in primary cultures of astrocytes. Glyburide significantly increased the survival of 32D cl3 murine hematopoietic progenitor cells when administrated before irradiation. Glyburide was radioprotective in vivo (90% of C57BL/6NHsd female mice pretreated with 10 mg/kg glyburide survived 9.5 Gy total-body irradiation compared to 42% of irradiated controls, P = 0.0249). These results demonstrate the power of unbiased siRNA synthetic protection screening with a druggable genome library to identify new radioprotectors.

The mitochondria-targeted nitroxide JP4-039 augments potentially lethal irradiation damage repair

It was unknown if a mitochondria-targeted nitroxide (JP4-039) could augment potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR) of cells in quiescence. We evaluated 32D cl 3 murine hematopoietic progenitor cells which were irradiated and then either centrifuged to pellets (to simulate PLDR conditions) or left in exponential growth for 0, 24, 48 or 72 h. Pelleted cells demonstrated cell cycle arrest with a greater percentage in the G(1)-phase than did exponentially growing cells. Irradiation survival curves demonstrated a significant radiation damage mitigation effect of JP4-039 over untreated cells in cells pelleted for 24 h. No significant radiation mitigation was detected if drugs were added 48 or 72 h after irradiation. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated a greater concentration of JP4-039 in mitochondria of 24 h-pelleted cells than in exponentially growing cells. These results establish a potential role of mitochondria-targeted nitroxide drugs as mitigators of radiation damage to quiescent cells including stem cells.

Investigation of the effects of aging on homologous recombination in long-term bone marrow cultures

Fluorescent yellow direct repeat (FYDR) mice carry a transgenic reporter for homologous recombination (HR) and have been used to reveal an age-dependent increase in HR in the pancreas. An established in vitro model system for accelerated aging of the marrow is the mouse long-term bone marrow culture (LTBMC) system. To determine whether the FYDR system, in which an HR event can lead to a fluorescent cell, can be used to study the effects of aging in LTBMCs, clonally expanded hematopoietic and marrow stromal cells in FYDR, positive control FYDR-Recombined (FYDR-Rec), and negative control wild-type C57BL/6NHsd (WT) LTBMCs were analysed. All groups of cultures demonstrated equivalent parameters of continuous hematopoiesis including generation of multilineage colony forming CFU-GM progenitor cells for over 22 weeks and age associated senescence of hematopoiesis. Results indicate that low expression of the FYDR transgene in bone marrow cells in vivo and in vitro prevents the use of the FYDR mice to study rare combination events in bone marrow. Using an alternative approach for detecting HR, namely the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay, a statistically significant increase in the number of SCEs per chromosome was observed in adherent cells subcultured from 20-week-compared to 4-week-old LTBMCs. These data suggest that adherent marrow stromal cells from LTBMCs become increasingly susceptible to HR events during aging.

Lack of DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) radiosensitizes bone marrow stromal cells in vitro and increases reticulocyte micronuclei after total-body irradiation

Abstract Mammalian POLQ (pol theta) is a specialized DNA polymerase with an unknown function in vivo. Roles have been proposed in chromosome stability, as a backup enzyme in DNA base excision repair, and in somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes. The purified enzyme can bypass AP sites and thymine glycol. Mice defective in POLQ are viable and have been reported to have elevated spontaneous and radiation-induced frequencies of micronuclei in circulating red blood cells. To examine the potential roles of POLQ in hematopoiesis and in responses to oxidative stress responses, including ionizing radiation, bone marrow cultures and marrow stromal cell lines were established from Polq(+/+) and Polq(-/-) mice. Aging of bone marrow cultures was not altered, but Polq(-/-) cells were more sensitive to gamma radiation than were Polq(+/+) cells. The D(0) was 1.38 +/- 0.06 Gy for Polq(+/+) cells compared to 1.27 +/- 0.16 and 0.98 +/- 0.10 Gy (P = 0.032) for two Polq(-/-) clones. Polq(-/-) cells were moderately more sensitive to bleomycin than Polq(+/+) cells and were not hypersensitive to paraquat or hydrogen peroxide. ATM kinase activation appeared to be normal in gamma-irradiated Polq(-/-) cells. Inhibition of ATM kinase activity increased the radiosensitivity of Polq(+/+) cells slightly but did not affect Polq(-/-) cells. Polq(-/-) mice had more spontaneous and radiation-induced micronucleated reticulocytes than Polq+/+ and (+/-) mice. The sensitivity of POLQ-defective bone marrow stromal cells to ionizing radiation and bleomycin and the increase in micronuclei in red blood cells support a role for this DNA polymerase in cellular tolerance of DNA damage that can lead to double-strand DNA breaks.

Mitochondrial targeting of a catalase transgene product by plasmid liposomes increases radioresistance in vitro and in vivo

To determine whether increased mitochondrially localized catalase was radioprotective, a human catalase transgene was cloned into a small pSVZeo plasmid and localized to the mitochondria of 32D cl 3 cells by adding the mitochondrial localization sequence of MnSOD (mt-catalase). The cell lines 32D-Cat and 32D-mt-Cat had increased catalase biochemical activity as confirmed by Western blot analysis compared to the 32D cl 3 parent cells. The MnSOD-overexpressing 32D cl 3 cell line, 2C6, had decreased baseline catalase activity that was increased in 2C6-Cat and 2C6-mt-Cat subclonal cell lines. 32D-mt-Cat cells were more radioresistant than 32D-Cat cells, but both were radioresistant relative to 32D cl 3 cells. 2C6-mt-Cat cells but not 2C6-Cat cells were radioresistant compared to 2C6 cells. Intratracheal injection of the mt-catalase-plasmid liposome complex (mt-Cat-PL) but not the catalase-plasmid liposome complex (Cat-PL) increased the resistance of C57BL/6NHsd female mice to 20 Gy thoracic irradiation compared to MnSOD-plasmid liposomes. Thus mitochondrially targeted overexpression of the catalase transgene is radioprotective in vitro and in vivo.

Modulation of radiation-induced life shortening by systemic intravenous MnSOD-plasmid liposome gene therapy

To determine whether systemic administration of MnSOD-PL protected mice from the acute hematopoietic syndrome and delayed death after total-body irradiation (TBI), C57BL/ 6J mice were injected intravenously with 100 microl liposomes containing 100 microg of human MnSOD-transgene plasmid 24 h prior to irradiation with 9.5 Gy or 1.0 Gy. The dose of 9.5 Gy was lethal to 42% of irradiated control female mice and 74% of irradiated control male mice at 30 days, with bone marrow hypocellularity consistent with the hematopoietic syndrome. A statistically significant increase in survival was observed in MnSOD-PL-treated female mice out to 400 days and in male mice out to 340 days. The incidence of tumors was similar between surviving groups. Between 350 and 600 days, the outcome was similar for both MnSOD-PL-treated and control irradiated groups, consistent with aging, with no difference in gross or microscopic pathological evidence of tumors. Male and female mice receiving 1.0 Gy TBI showed radiation-induced life shortening after 120 days that was decreased by MnSOD-PL administration and that was not associated with an increase in rate of tumor-associated death. Therefore, systemic MnSOD-PL radioprotective gene therapy is not associated with a detectably higher incidence of late carcinogenesis.

Mass-spectrometric characterization of phospholipids and their hydroperoxide derivatives in vivo: effects of total body irradiation

Combination of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and 2D-high-performance thin-layer chromatography (2D-HPTLC) is a powerful approach to identify and quantitatively analyze oxidized phospholipids in vivo. We describe application of this methodology in assessments of phospholipid hydroperoxides using as an example their characterization and quantitative determinations in different tissues of mice exposed to total body irradiation (TBI, 10 and 15 Gy). Using ESI-MS, we identified individual molecular species - with particular emphasis on polyunsaturated molecules as preferred peroxidation substrates - in major classes of phospholipids: cardiolipin (CL), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) isolated from mouse brain, lung, muscles, small intestine, and bone marrow. We show that the pattern of phospholipid oxidation 24 h after TBI is nonrandom and does not follow the phospholipid abundance in tissues. The anionic phospholipids - CL, PS, and PI - are the preferred peroxidation substrates. We identified and structurally characterized individual hydroperoxides in these three classes of phospholipids. The protocols described may be utilized in studies of signaling functions of oxidized phospholipids in cell physiology and pathology.

Regulation of the anaphase-promoting complex-separase cascade by transforming growth factor-beta modulates mitotic progression in bone marrow stromal cells

Alteration of the tumor microenvironment by aberrant stromal cells influences many aspects of cell biology, including differentiation of stem cells and tumor metastasis. The role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling in stromal cells of the tissue microenvironment is critical to both pathways. We examined murine marrow stromal cells with deletion of Smad3 and found that they have an altered cell cycle profile, with a higher fraction of cells in G2/M phase. Deletion of Smad3 significantly abrogates TGF-beta signaling and suppresses phosphorylation of CDC27-anaphase-promoting complex (APC) during mitosis, thereby resulting in elevated cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1 activity via increased levels of cyclin B. Enhanced CDK1 activity due to deregulation of APC leads in turn to hyperphosphorylation of separase, impeding chromatid separation. A residue Ser1126Ala mutation in separase specifically abolished separase hyperphosphorylation in Smad3-deficient cells. The present results unveil a new function for the TGF-beta pathway in the regulation of APC to mediate chromatid separation during mitosis.

Radioprotection in vitro and in vivo by minicircle plasmid carrying the human manganese superoxide dismutase transgene

Manganese superoxide dismutase plasmid liposomes (MnSOD-PL) confer organ-specific in vivo ionizing irradiation protection. To prepare for potential intravenous clinical trials of systemic MnSOD-PL for radioprotection in humans, plasmid and bacterial sequences were removed and a new minicircle construct was tested. Minicircle MnSOD was purified and then cotransfected into 32D cl 3 murine interleukin-3-dependent hematopoietic progenitor cells along with another plasmid carrying the neo gene. Cells were selected in G418 (50 microg/ml) and cloned by limiting dilution. Biochemical analysis of minicircle MnSOD-transfected cells showed an MnSOD biochemical activity level of 5.8 +/- 0.5 U/mg compared with 2.7 +/- 0.1 U/mg for control 32D cl 3 cells (p = 0.0039). 32D-mc-MnSOD cells were as radioresistant as full-length MnSOD-PL transgene-expressing 2C6 cells, relative to 32D cl 3 parent cells, with an increased shoulder on the radiation survival curve (n = 4.8 +/- 0.2 and n = 4.6 +/- 0.2, respectively, compared with 1.5 +/- 0.5 for 32D cl 3 cells; p = 0.007). C57BL/6NHsd mice received intraoral mc-MnSOD-PL, mc-DsRed-PL control, full-length MnSOD-PL, or blank-PL and then were irradiated 24 hr later with 31 Gy to the esophagus. Mice receiving mc-MnSOD-PL showed increased survival compared with control mice or mice treated with mc-DsRed-PL (p = 0.0003 and 0.039, respectively), and comparable to full-length MnSOD-PL. Intravenous, systemic administration of mc-MnSOD-PL protected mice from total body irradiation (9.75 Gy). Therefore, minicircle DNA containing the human MnSOD transgene confers undiminished radioprotection in vitro and in vivo.

Age-related intrinsic changes in human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation to osteoblasts

In vivo and in vitro studies indicate that a subpopulation of human marrow-derived stromal cells (MSCs, also known as mesenchymal stem cells) has potential to differentiate into multiple cell types, including osteoblasts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that there are intrinsic effects of age in human MSCs (17-90 years). We tested the effect of age on senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, proliferation, apoptosis, p53 pathway genes, and osteoblast differentiation in confluent monolayers by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteoblast gene expression analysis. There were fourfold more human bone MSCs (hMSCs) positive for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in samples from older than younger subjects (P < 0.001; n = 17). Doubling time of hMSCs was 1.7-fold longer in cells from the older than the younger subjects, and was positively correlated with age (P = 0.002; n = 19). Novel age-related changes were identified. With age, more cells were apoptotic (P = 0.016; n = 10). Further, there were age-related increases in expression of p53 and its pathway genes, p21 and BAX. Consistent with other experiments, there was a significant age-related decrease in generation of osteoblasts both in the STRO-1+ cells (P = 0.047; n = 8) and in adherent MSCs (P < 0.001; n = 10). In sum, there is an age-dependent decrease in proliferation and osteoblast differentiation, and an increase in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase-positive cells and apoptosis in hMSCs. Up-regulation of the p53 pathway with age may have a critical role in mediating the reduction in both proliferation and osteoblastogenesis of hMSCs. These findings support the view that there are intrinsic alterations in human MSCs with aging that may contribute to the process of skeletal aging in humans.

A mitochondria-targeted nitroxide/hemigramicidin S conjugate protects mouse embryonic cells against gamma irradiation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the in vitro radioprotective effect of the mitochondria-targeted hemigramicidin S-conjugated 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl (hemi-GS-TEMPO) 5-125 in gamma-irradiated mouse embryonic cells and adenovirus-12 SV40 hybrid virus transformed human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B and explore the mechanisms involved in its radioprotective effect.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Cells were incubated with 5-125 before (10 minutes) or after (1 hour) gamma-irradiation. Superoxide generation was determined by using dihydroethidium assay, and lipid oxidation was quantitated by using a fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography-based Amplex Red assay. Apoptosis was characterized by evaluating the accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytosol and externalization of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface. Cell survival was measured by means of a clonogenic assay.

RESULTS

Treatment (before and after irradiation) of cells with 5-125 at low concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mum) effectively suppressed gamma-irradiation-induced superoxide generation, cardiolipin oxidation, and delayed irradiation-induced apoptosis, evaluated by using cytochrome c release and phosphatidylserine externalization. Importantly, treatment with 5-125 increased the clonogenic survival rate of gamma-irradiated cells. In addition, 5-125 enhanced and prolonged gamma-irradiation-induced G(2)/M phase arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

Radioprotection/mitigation by hemi-GS-TEMPO likely is caused by its ability to act as an electron scavenger and prevent superoxide generation, attenuate cardiolipin oxidation in mitochondria, and hence prevent the release of proapoptotic factors from mitochondria. Other mechanisms, including cell-cycle arrest at the G(2)/M phase, may contribute to the protection.

Oxidative lipidomics of gamma-irradiation-induced intestinal injury

Although gamma-irradiation-induced tissue injury has been associated with lipid peroxidation, the individual phospholipid molecular targets have not been identified. We employed oxidative lipidomics to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize phospholipid peroxidation in a radiosensitive tissue, the small intestine, of mice exposed to total body irradiation (TBI) (10 and 15 Gy). Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry we found that the major classes of intestine phospholipids-phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol-included clusters with highly oxidizable molecular species containing docosahexaenoic fatty acid. Molecular species of cardiolipin were represented by only two major less oxidizable individual molecular species-tetralinoleoylcardiolipin and trilinoleoyl-mono-oleoylcardiolipin. Selective and robust oxidation of two anionic phospholipids-cardiolipin in mitochondria and phosphatidylserine outside of mitochondria-was observed 24 h after gamma-irradiation. MS analysis detected several TBI-induced molecular species of oxidized cardiolipin: (C(18:2))(3)(C(18:2)-OOH), (C(18:2))(2)(C(18:2)-OOH)(2), (C(18:2))(1)(C(18:2)-OOH)(3), and (C(18:2)-OOH)(4). The major molecular species involved in TBI-triggered peroxidation of phosphatidylserine included C(18:0)/C(22:6)-OOH, C(18:0)/C(22:5)-OOH, and C(18:0)/C(22:4)-OOH. More abundant phospholipids-phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine-did not reveal any oxidative stress responses despite the presence of highly oxidizable docosahexaenoic fatty acid residues in their molecular species. A marked activation of caspases 3/7 that was detected in the intestine of gamma-irradiated mice indicates the involvement of apoptotic cell death in the TBI injury. Given that oxidized molecular species of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine accumulate during apoptosis of different cells in vitro we speculate that cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine oxidation products may be useful as potential biomarkers of gamma-irradiation-induced intestinal apoptosis in vivo and may represent a promising target for the discovery of new radioprotectors and radiosensitizers.

Intraesophageal MnSOD-plasmid liposome enhances engraftment and self-renewal of bone marrow derived progenitors of esophageal squamous epithelium

We evaluated whether the improved esophageal radiation tolerance following Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD)-Plasmid Liposomes was explained by improved engraftment of bone marrow-derived progenitors. C57BL/6NHsd female mice pretreated with intraesophageal MnSOD-PL were irradiated to 29 Gy to the esophagus and intravenously transplanted with marrow from male B6. 129S7-Gt (ROSA) 26S OR/J ROSA (Lac-Z+, G418-resistant) mice. After 14 days, esophagi were removed and side population and non-side population cells evaluated for donor multilineage (endothelin/vimentin/F480) positive esophageal cells. Serial intravenous transplantability was tested in second generation 29 Gy esophagus-irradiated mice. Esophagi from recipients receiving swallowed MnSOD-PL 24 h prior to irradiation demonstrated significantly increased esophageal repopulation with donor bone marrow-derived Lac-Z+, G418+, Y-probe+ multilineage cells (37.8+/-1.8>50 cell Lac-Z+ foci per esophagus) compared to irradiated controls (19.8+/-1.8) P<0.0001. Serial transfer to second-generation irradiated C57BL/6NHsd mice of intravenously injected SP or NSP first generation recipient esophagus cells was also significantly enhanced by MnSOD-PL intraesophageal pretreatment (74.4+/-3.6 SP-derived Lac-Z+ foci per esophagus, 48.6+/-5.4 NSP-derived) compared to irradiation controls (23.4+/-1.8 SP, 6.0+/-3.0 NSP), P<0.0001. Thus, intraesophageal MnSOD-PL administration enhances engraftment of marrow-derived progenitors.