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Jullienne A, Malo M, Shaw K, Zheng Y, Johnston JD, Kontulainen S, Chilibeck PD, Dadachova E, Obenaus A, Sarty GE. Musculoskeletal perturbations of deep space radiation: Assessment using a Gateway MRI. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 42:74-83. [PMID: 39067994 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Human space exploration expansion from Low-Earth Orbit to deep space is accelerating the need to monitor and address the known health concerns related to deep space radiation. The human musculoskeletal system is vulnerable to these risks (alongside microgravity) and its health reflects the well-being of other body systems. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important approach for assessing temporal physiological changes in the musculoskeletal system. We propose that ultra-low-field MRI provides an optimal low Size Weight and Power (SwaP) solution for non-invasively monitoring muscle and bone changes on the planned Gateway lunar space station. Our proposed ultra-low-field Gateway MRI meets low SWaP design specifications mandated by limited room in the lunar space station. This review summarizes the current state of our knowledge on musculoskeletal consequences of spaceflight, especially with respect to radiation, and then elaborates how MRI can be used to monitor the deleterious effects of space travel and the efficacy of putative countermeasures. We argue that an ultra-low-field MRI in cis-lunar space on the Gateway can provide valuable research and medical insights into the effects of deep space radiation exposure on astronauts. Such an MRI would also allow the development of imaging protocols that would facilitate Earth-bound teams to monitor space personnel musculoskeletal changes during future interplanetary spaceflight. It will especially have a role in monitoring countermeasures, such as the use of melanin, in protecting space explorers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Jullienne
- School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, 1001 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA 92617, United States
| | - Mackenzie Malo
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Keely Shaw
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
| | - Yuwen Zheng
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
| | - James D Johnston
- College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Saija Kontulainen
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
| | - Philip D Chilibeck
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Dadachova
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Andre Obenaus
- School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, 1001 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA 92617, United States; School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, United States
| | - Gordon E Sarty
- Space MRI Lab, University of Saskatchewan, QuanTA Centre, 9 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada.
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2
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Garcia-Medina JS, Sienkiewicz K, Narayanan SA, Overbey EG, Grigorev K, Ryon KA, Burke M, Proszynski J, Tierney B, Schmidt CM, Mencia-Trinchant N, Klotz R, Ortiz V, Foox J, Chin C, Najjar D, Matei I, Chan I, Cruchaga C, Kleinman A, Kim J, Lucaci A, Loy C, Mzava O, De Vlaminck I, Singaraju A, Taylor LE, Schmidt JC, Schmidt MA, Blease K, Moreno J, Boddicker A, Zhao J, Lajoie B, Altomare A, Kruglyak S, Levy S, Yu M, Hassane DC, Bailey SM, Bolton K, Mateus J, Mason CE. Genome and clonal hematopoiesis stability contrasts with immune, cfDNA, mitochondrial, and telomere length changes during short duration spaceflight. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2024; 7:pbae007. [PMID: 38634106 PMCID: PMC11022651 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Inspiration4 (I4) mission, the first all-civilian orbital flight mission, investigated the physiological effects of short-duration spaceflight through a multi-omic approach. Despite advances, there remains much to learn about human adaptation to spaceflight's unique challenges, including microgravity, immune system perturbations, and radiation exposure. Methods To provide a detailed genetics analysis of the mission, we collected dried blood spots pre-, during, and post-flight for DNA extraction. Telomere length was measured by quantitative PCR, while whole genome and cfDNA sequencing provided insight into genomic stability and immune adaptations. A robust bioinformatic pipeline was used for data analysis, including variant calling to assess mutational burden. Result Telomere elongation occurred during spaceflight and shortened after return to Earth. Cell-free DNA analysis revealed increased immune cell signatures post-flight. No significant clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) or whole-genome instability was observed. The long-term gene expression changes across immune cells suggested cellular adaptations to the space environment persisting months post-flight. Conclusion Our findings provide valuable insights into the physiological consequences of short-duration spaceflight, with telomere dynamics and immune cell gene expression adapting to spaceflight and persisting after return to Earth. CHIP sequencing data will serve as a reference point for studying the early development of CHIP in astronauts, an understudied phenomenon as previous studies have focused on career astronauts. This study will serve as a reference point for future commercial and non-commercial spaceflight, low Earth orbit (LEO) missions, and deep-space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sebastian Garcia-Medina
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Karolina Sienkiewicz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - S Anand Narayanan
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Eliah G Overbey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- BioAstra Inc, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirill Grigorev
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Krista A Ryon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Marissa Burke
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jacqueline Proszynski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Braden Tierney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Caleb M Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
- Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nuria Mencia-Trinchant
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Remi Klotz
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Veronica Ortiz
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jonathan Foox
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Christopher Chin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- BioAstra Inc, New York, NY, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY 10021, USA
- WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Deena Najjar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Irina Matei
- Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Irenaeus Chan
- Washington University St. Louis Oncology Division, St. Louis, MO 63100, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Washington University St. Louis Oncology Division, St. Louis, MO 63100, USA
| | - Ashley Kleinman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - JangKeun Kim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Alexander Lucaci
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Conor Loy
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Omary Mzava
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Iwijn De Vlaminck
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Anvita Singaraju
- Department of Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Julian C Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
| | - Michael A Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
| | | | - Juan Moreno
- Element Biosciences, San Diego, CA 10055, USA
| | | | - Junhua Zhao
- Element Biosciences, San Diego, CA 10055, USA
| | | | | | | | - Shawn Levy
- Element Biosciences, San Diego, CA 10055, USA
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Duane C Hassane
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Kelly Bolton
- Washington University St. Louis Oncology Division, St. Louis, MO 63100, USA
| | - Jaime Mateus
- Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, Hawthorne, CA 90250, USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- BioAstra Inc, New York, NY, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY 10021, USA
- WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Diaz J, Kuhlman BM, Edenhoffer NP, Evans AC, Martin KA, Guida P, Rusek A, Atala A, Coleman MA, Wilson PF, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. Immediate effects of acute Mars mission equivalent doses of SEP and GCR radiation on the murine gastrointestinal system-protective effects of curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs). FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES 2023; 10:1117811. [PMID: 38741937 PMCID: PMC11089821 DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2023.1117811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) will expose astronauts to ionizing radiation (IR) in the form of solar energetic particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) including high atomic number and energy (HZE) nuclei. The gastrointestinal (GI) system is documented to be highly radiosensitive with even relatively low dose IR exposures capable of inducing mucosal lesions and disrupting epithelial barrier function. IR is also an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) with several studies examining long-term GI effects of SEP/GCR exposure using tumor-prone APC mouse models. Studies of acute short-term effects of modeled space radiation exposures in wildtype mouse models are more limited and necessary to better define charged particle-induced GI pathologies and test novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) to promote astronaut safety. Methods In this study, we performed ground-based studies where male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to γ-rays, 50 MeV protons, or 1 GeV/n Fe-56 ions at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) with histology and immunohistochemistry endpoints measured in the first 24 h post-irradiation to define immediate SEP/GCR-induced GI alterations. Results Our data show that unlike matched γ-ray controls, acute exposures to protons and iron ions disrupts intestinal function and induces mucosal lesions, vascular congestion, epithelial barrier breakdown, and marked enlargement of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. We also measured kinetics of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair using gamma-H2AX- specific antibodies and apoptosis via TUNEL labeling, noting the induction and disappearance of extranuclear cytoplasmic DNA marked by gamma-H2AX only in the charged particle-irradiated samples. We show that 18 h pre-treatment with curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs) delivered via IV injection reduces DSB-associated foci levels and apoptosis and restore crypt villi lengths. Discussion These data improve our understanding of physiological alterations in the GI tract immediately following exposures to modeled space radiations and demonstrates effectiveness of a promising space radiation MCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Diaz
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bradford M. Kuhlman
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | | | - Angela C. Evans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Kelly A. Martin
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Peter Guida
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Adam Rusek
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Paul F. Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Graça Almeida-Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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4
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Nemec-Bakk AS, Sridharan V, Landes RD, Singh P, Cao M, Dominic P, Seawright JW, Chancellor JC, Boerma M. Effects of low-dose oxygen ions on cardiac function and structure in female C57BL/6J mice. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 32:105-112. [PMID: 35065756 PMCID: PMC8803400 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Astronauts in space vehicles beyond low-Earth orbit will be exposed to high charge and energy (HZE) ions, and there is concern about potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Thus far, most animal studies that assess cardiac effects of HZE particles have included only males. This study assessed the effects of oxygen ions (16O) as a representative ion of the intravehicular radiation environment on the heart of female mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Female C57BL/6 J mice at 6 months of age were exposed to 16O (600 MeV/n) at 0.25-0.26 Gy/min to a total dose of 0, 0.1, or 0.25 Gy. Cardiac function and abdominal aorta blood velocity were measured with ultrasonography at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months after irradiation. At 2 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months, cardiac tissue was collected to assess collagen deposition and markers of immune cells. RESULTS Ultrasonography revealed increased left ventricle mass, diastolic volume and diameter but there was no change in the abdominal aorta. There was no indication of cardiac fibrosis however, a 75 kDa peptide of left ventricular collagen type III and α-smooth muscle cell actin were increased suggesting some remodeling had occurred. Left ventricular protein levels of the T-cell marker CD2 was significantly increased at all time points, while the neutrophil marker myeloperoxidase was decreased at 2 weeks and 9 months. CONCLUSIONS These results taken together suggest 16O ion exposure did not result in cardiac fibrosis or cardiac dysfunction in female mice. However, it does appear mild cardiac remodeling occurs in response to HZE radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S Nemec-Bakk
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Vijayalakshmi Sridharan
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Reid D Landes
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Preeti Singh
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Maohua Cao
- College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University, Dallas TX, USA
| | - Paari Dominic
- Department of Medicine and Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Diseases & Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | | | - Jeffery C Chancellor
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Preventative Medicine & Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Outer Space Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CA, Canada
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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5
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Human mesenchymal stromal cells maintain their stem cell traits after high-LET particle irradiation - Potential implications for particle radiotherapy and manned space missions. Cancer Lett 2022; 524:172-181. [PMID: 34688844 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The influence of high-linear energy transfer (LET) particle radiation on the functionalities of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the effects of proton (1H), helium (4He), carbon (12C) and oxygen (16O) ions on human bone marrow-MSCs. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction were examined by flow cytometry, and DNA damage was quantified using γH2AX immunofluorescence and Western blots. Relative biological effectiveness values of MSCs amounted to 1.0-1.1 for 1H, 1.7-2.3 for 4He, 2.9-3.4 for 12C and 2.6-3.3 for 16O. Particle radiation did not alter the MSCs' characteristic surface marker pattern, and MSCs maintained their multi-lineage differentiation capabilities. Apoptosis rates ranged low for all radiation modalities. At 24 h after irradiation, particle radiation-induced ATM and CHK2 phosphorylation as well as γH2AX foci numbers returned to baseline levels. The resistance of human MSCs to high-LET irradiation suggests that MSCs remain functional after exposure to moderate doses of particle radiation as seen in normal tissues after particle radiotherapy or during manned space flights. In the future, in vivo models focusing on long-term consequences of particle irradiation on the bone marrow niche and MSCs are needed.
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Kumar K, Datta K, Fornace AJ, Suman S. Total body proton and heavy-ion irradiation causes cellular senescence and promotes pro-osteoclastogenic activity in mouse bone marrow. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08691. [PMID: 35028468 PMCID: PMC8741516 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-LET photon radiation-induced persistent alterations in bone marrow (BM) cells are well documented in total-body irradiated (TBI) rodents and also among radiotherapy patients. However, the late effects of protons and high-LET heavy-ion radiation on BM cells and its implications in osteoclastogenesis are not fully understood. Therefore, C57BL6/J female mice (8 weeks; n = 10/group) were irradiated to sham, and 1 Gy of the proton (0.22 keV/μm), or high-LET 56Fe-ions (148 keV/μm) and at 60 d post-exposure, mice were sacrificed and femur sections were obtained for histological, cellular and molecular analysis. Cell proliferation (PCNA), cell death (active caspase-3), senescence (p16), osteoclast (RANK), osteoblast (OPG), osteoblast progenitor (c-Kit), and osteoclastogenesis-associated secretory factors (like RANKL) were assessed using immunostaining. While no change in cell proliferation and apoptosis between control and irradiated groups was noted, the number of BM megakaryocytes was significantly reduced in irradiated mice at 60 d post-exposure. A remarkable increase in p16 positive cells indicated a persistent increase in cell senescence, whereas increased RANKL/OPG ratio, reductions in the number of osteoblast progenitor cells, and osteocalcin provided clear evidence that exposure to both proton and 56Fe-ions promotes pro-osteoclastogenic activity in BM. Among irradiated groups, 56Fe-induced alterations in the BM cellularity and osteoclastogenesis were significantly greater than the protons that demonstrated a radiation quality-dependent effect. This study has implications in understanding the role of IR-induced late changes in the BM cells and its involvement in bone degeneration among deep-space astronauts, and also in patients undergoing proton or heavy-ion radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamendra Kumar
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Kamal Datta
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Albert J. Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Shubhankar Suman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Corresponding author.
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Abstract
Cosmic radiation belongs to the challenges engineers have to deal with when further developing space travel. Besides the severe risks for humans due to high-energy particles or waves, the impact of cosmic radiation on electronics and diverse materials cannot be neglected, even in microsatellites or other unmanned spacecraft. Here, we explain the different particles or waves found in cosmic radiation and their potential impact on biological and inanimate matter. We give an overview of fiber-based shielding materials, mostly applied in the form of composites, and explain why these materials can help shielding spaceships or satellites from cosmic radiation.
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Mehner C, Krishnan S, Chou J, Freeman ML, Freeman WD, Patel T, Turnbull MT. Real versus simulated galactic cosmic radiation for investigating cancer risk in the hematopoietic system - are we comparing apples to apples? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:8-14. [PMID: 33888292 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Deep space exploration missions need strategies to mitigate the potentially harmful exposure to galactic cosmic radiation. This form of radiation can cause significant damage to biological systems and organisms, which include radiation-induced carcinogenesis in the hematopoietic system. Ongoing studies investigate these effects using cell- and animal-based studies in low earth orbit. The logistic challenges and costs involved with sending biological specimens to space have prompted the development of surrogate ground-based radiation experiments to study the mechanisms of biological injury and cancer risk. However, simulating galactic cosmic radiation has proven difficult and current studies are only partially succeeding at replicating the complexity of this radiation and its downstream injury pathways. Accurate simulation of chronic, low dose galactic radiation will improve our ability to test mitigation strategies such as drug development and improved shielding materials that could be crucial and essential for successful space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mehner
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - William D Freeman
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Tushar Patel
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States.
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9
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Rühle A, Grosu AL, Nicolay NH. The Particle Radiobiology of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Key to Mitigating Radiation-Induced Tissue Toxicities in Cancer Treatment and Beyond? Front Oncol 2021; 11:616831. [PMID: 33912447 PMCID: PMC8071947 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.616831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of multipotent stromal cells that have gained attention for the treatment of irradiation-induced normal tissue toxicities due to their regenerative abilities. As the vast majority of studies focused on the effects of MSCs for photon irradiation-induced toxicities, little is known about the regenerative abilities of MSCs for particle irradiation-induced tissue damage or the effects of particle irradiation on the stem cell characteristics of MSCs themselves. MSC-based therapies may help treat particle irradiation-related tissue lesions in the context of cancer radiotherapy. As the number of clinical proton therapy centers is increasing, there is a need to decidedly investigate MSC-based treatments for particle irradiation-induced sequelae. Furthermore, therapies with MSCs or MSC-derived exosomes may also become a useful tool for manned space exploration or after radiation accidents and nuclear terrorism. However, such treatments require an in-depth knowledge about the effects of particle radiation on MSCs and the effects of MSCs on particle radiation-injured tissues. Here, the existing body of evidence regarding the particle radiobiology of MSCs as well as regarding MSC-based treatments for some typical particle irradiation-induced toxicities is presented and critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rühle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Freiburg - Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Molecular Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anca-Ligia Grosu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Freiburg - Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nils H Nicolay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Freiburg - Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Molecular Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), Heidelberg, Germany
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10
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Willey JS, Britten RA, Blaber E, Tahimic CG, Chancellor J, Mortreux M, Sanford LD, Kubik AJ, Delp MD, Mao XW. The individual and combined effects of spaceflight radiation and microgravity on biologic systems and functional outcomes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS 2021; 39:129-179. [PMID: 33902391 PMCID: PMC8274610 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2021.1885283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Both microgravity and radiation exposure in the spaceflight environment have been identified as hazards to astronaut health and performance. Substantial study has been focused on understanding the biology and risks associated with prolonged exposure to microgravity, and the hazards presented by radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPEs) outside of low earth orbit (LEO). To date, the majority of the ground-based analogues (e.g., rodent or cell culture studies) that investigate the biology of and risks associated with spaceflight hazards will focus on an individual hazard in isolation. However, astronauts will face these challenges simultaneously Combined hazard studies are necessary for understanding the risks astronauts face as they travel outside of LEO, and are also critical for countermeasure development. The focus of this review is to describe biologic and functional outcomes from ground-based analogue models for microgravity and radiation, specifically highlighting the combined effects of radiation and reduced weight-bearing from rodent ground-based tail suspension via hind limb unloading (HLU) and partial weight-bearing (PWB) models, although in vitro and spaceflight results are discussed as appropriate. The review focuses on the skeletal, ocular, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular, and stem cells responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | | | | | - Marie Mortreux
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School
| | - Angela J. Kubik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | - Michael D. Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University
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11
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Inflammatory signals have emerged as critical regulators of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. Specifically, HSCs are highly responsive to acute changes in systemic inflammation and this influences not only their division rate but also their lineage fate. Identifying how inflammation regulates HSCs and shapes the blood system is crucial to understanding the mechanisms underpinning these processes, as well as potential links between them. Recent Findings A widening array of physiologic and pathologic processes involving heightened inflammation are now recognized to critically affect HSC biology and blood lineage production. Conditions documented to affect HSC function include not only acute and chronic infections but also autoinflammatory conditions, irradiation injury, and physiologic states such as aging and obesity. Summary Recognizing the contexts during which inflammation affects primitive hematopoiesis is essential to improving our understanding of HSC biology and informing new therapeutic interventions against maladaptive hematopoiesis that occurs during inflammatory diseases, infections, and cancer-related disorders.
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12
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Chandra A, Lagnado AB, Farr JN, Monroe DG, Park S, Hachfeld C, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Khosla S, Passos JF, Pignolo RJ. Targeted Reduction of Senescent Cell Burden Alleviates Focal Radiotherapy-Related Bone Loss. J Bone Miner Res 2020; 35:1119-1131. [PMID: 32023351 PMCID: PMC7357625 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical radiotherapy treats life-threatening cancers, but the radiation often affects neighboring normal tissues including bone. Acute effects of ionizing radiation include oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cellular apoptosis. We show in this study that a large proportion of bone marrow cells, osteoblasts, and matrix-embedded osteocytes recover from these insults only to attain a senescent profile. Bone analyses of senescence-associated genes, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, and presence of telomere dysfunction-induced foci (TIF) at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 42 days post-focal radiation treatment (FRT) in C57BL/6 male mice confirmed the development of senescent cells and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Accumulation of senescent cells and SASP markers were correlated with a significant reduction in bone architecture at 42 days post-FRT. To test if senolytic drugs, which clear senescent cells, alleviate FRT-related bone damage, we administered the senolytic agents, dasatinib (D), quercetin (Q), fisetin (F), and a cocktail of D and Q (D+Q). We found moderate alleviation of radiation-induced bone damage with D and Q as stand-alone compounds, but no such improvement was seen with F. However, the senolytic cocktail of D+Q reduced senescent cell burden as assessed by TIF+ osteoblasts and osteocytes, markers of senescence (p16 Ink4a and p21), and key SASP factors, resulting in significant recovery in the bone architecture of radiated femurs. In summary, this study provides proof of concept that senescent cells play a role in radiotherapy-associated bone damage, and that reduction in senescent cell burden by senolytic agents is a potential therapeutic option for alleviating radiotherapy-related bone deterioration. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Chandra
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Anthony B Lagnado
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Joshua N Farr
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David G Monroe
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sean Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Christine Hachfeld
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tamar Tchkonia
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James L Kirkland
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sundeep Khosla
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - João F Passos
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Robert J Pignolo
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
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13
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Iosim S, MacKay M, Westover C, Mason CE. Translating current biomedical therapies for long duration, deep space missions. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2019; 2:259-269. [PMID: 31886035 PMCID: PMC6927098 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is been shown that spaceflight-induced molecular, cellular, and physiologic changes cause alterations across many modalities of the human body, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, hematological, immunological, ocular, and neurological systems. The Twin Study, a multi-year, multi-omic study of human response to spaceflight, provided detailed and comprehensive molecular and cellular maps of the human response to radiation, microgravity, isolation, and stress. These rich data identified epigenetic, gene expression, inflammatory, and metabolic responses to spaceflight, facilitating a better biomedical roadmap of features that should be monitored and safe-guarded in upcoming missions. Further, by exploring new developments in pre-clinical models and clinical trials, we can begin to design potential cellular interventions for exploration-class missions to Mars and potentially farther. This paper will discuss the overall risks astronauts face during spaceflight, what is currently known about human response to these risks, what pharmaceutical interventions exist for use in space, and which tools of precision medicine and cellular engineering could be applied to aerospace and astronaut medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Iosim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Matthew MacKay
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.,The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Craig Westover
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.,The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.,The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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14
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Worley JR, Parker GC. Effects of environmental stressors on stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:565-577. [PMID: 31616535 PMCID: PMC6789190 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i9.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental toxicants are ubiquitous, and many are known to cause harmful health effects. However, much of what we know or think we know concerning the targets and long-term effects of exposure to environmental stressors is sadly lacking. Toxicant exposure may have health effects that are currently mischaracterized or at least mechanistically incompletely understood. While much of the recent excitement about stem cells (SCs) focuses on their potential as therapeutic agents, they also offer a valuable resource to give us insight into the mechanisms and risks of toxicant effects. Not only as a response to the increasing ethical pressure to reduce animal testing, SC studies allow us valuable insight into the true effects of human exposure to environmental stressors under controlled conditions. We present a review of the history of publications on the effects of environmental stressors on SCs, followed by a consolidation of the literature over the past five years on a subset of key environmental stressors of importance to human health and their effects on both embryonic and tissue SCs. The review will make constructive suggestions as to areas of toxicant research where further studies are needed, as well as making indications of the potential utility for advancing knowledge and directing research on environmental toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Worley
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
| | - Graham C Parker
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
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15
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Blaber EA. Special Issue: Stem Cells, Radiation, and Microgravity. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 27:1227-1229. [PMID: 30212289 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.29003.bla] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Blaber
- 1 Universities Space Research Association , Mountain View, California.,2 Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center , Moffett Field, California
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16
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Liu F, Wang Z, Li W, Wei Y. Transcriptional response of murine bone marrow cells to total-body carbon-ion irradiation. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2019; 839:49-58. [PMID: 30744812 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The need to understand the health effects of heavy ion irradiation is motivated by the use of this modality in radiotherapy and by the potential for exposure during space missions. We have studied the effects of carbon-ion total-body irradiation on the hematopoietic system of the mouse and, in particular, the transcriptional response of bone marrow (BM) cells. Carbon-ion irradiation caused BM cell DNA damage, apoptosis, elevated ROS, and myelosuppression. Transcriptomic analysis showed that overall gene expression in irradiated BM cells differed significantly from the controls. Of 253 genes that were modulated, 192 were up-regulated and 61 down-regulated. Gene ontology analysis showed that the modulated genes are involved in DNA damage response signaling, DNA repair, apoptosis, and the immune response. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that these functions are regulated by the p38 MAPK, TNF, and apoptosis pathways. These findings indicate pathways that may be involved in protection against carbon ion radiation injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhuanzi Wang
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Wenjian Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yanting Wei
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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17
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Chatterjee S, Pietrofesa RA, Park K, Tao JQ, Carabe-Fernandez A, Berman AT, Koumenis C, Sielecki T, Christofidou-Solomidou M. LGM2605 Reduces Space Radiation-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Damage in In Vitro Lung Vascular Networks. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20010176. [PMID: 30621290 PMCID: PMC6337675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Updated measurements of charged particle fluxes during the transit from Earth to Mars as well as on site measurements by Curiosity of Martian surface radiation fluxes identified potential health hazards associated with radiation exposure for human space missions. Designing mitigation strategies of radiation risks to astronauts is critical. We investigated radiation-induced endothelial cell damage and its mitigation by LGM2605, a radioprotector with antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. We used an in vitro model of lung vascular networks (flow-adapted endothelial cells; FAECs), exposed to gamma rays, low/higher linear energy transfer (LET) protons (3⁻4 or 8⁻10 keV/µm, respectively), and mixed field radiation sources (gamma and protons), given at mission-relevant doses (0.25 gray (Gy)⁻1 Gy). We evaluated endothelial inflammatory phenotype, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and oxidative cell injury. LGM2605 (100 µM) was added 30 min post radiation exposure and gene expression changes evaluated 24 h later. Radiation induced a robust increase in mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes post 0.25 Gy and 0.5 Gy gamma radiation, which was significantly decreased by LGM2605. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) induction by individual or mixed-field exposures were also significantly blunted by LGM2605. We conclude that LGM2605 is a likely candidate to reduce tissue damage from space-relevant radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shampa Chatterjee
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Ralph A Pietrofesa
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Kyewon Park
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Jian-Qin Tao
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Alejandro Carabe-Fernandez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Abigail T Berman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Constantinos Koumenis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | | | - Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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