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Cortés-Sánchez JL, Callant J, Krüger M, Sahana J, Kraus A, Baselet B, Infanger M, Baatout S, Grimm D. Cancer Studies under Space Conditions: Finding Answers Abroad. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010025. [PMID: 35052703 PMCID: PMC8773191 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we discuss the current state of knowledge in cancer research under real and simulated microgravity conditions and point out further research directions in this field. Outer space is an extremely hostile environment for human life, with radiation, microgravity, and vacuum posing significant hazards. Although the risk for cancer in astronauts is not clear, microgravity plays a thought-provoking role in the carcinogenesis of normal and cancer cells, causing such effects as multicellular spheroid formation, cytoskeleton rearrangement, alteration of gene expression and protein synthesis, and apoptosis. Furthermore, deleterious effects of radiation on cells seem to be accentuated under microgravity. Ground-based facilities have been used to study microgravity effects in addition to laborious experiments during parabolic flights or on space stations. Some potential 'gravisensors' have already been detected, and further identification of these mechanisms of mechanosensitivity could open up ways for therapeutic influence on cancer growth and apoptosis. These novel findings may help to find new effective cancer treatments and to provide health protection for humans on future long-term spaceflights and exploration of outer space.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Jonas Callant
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Armin Kraus
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
- Department Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-21379702
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Hofmann W, Li WB, Friedland W, Miller BW, Madas B, Bardiès M, Balásházy I. Internal microdosimetry of alpha-emitting radionuclides. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2020; 59:29-62. [PMID: 31863162 PMCID: PMC7012986 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-019-00826-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
At the tissue level, energy deposition in cells is determined by the microdistribution of alpha-emitting radionuclides in relation to sensitive target cells. Furthermore, the highly localized energy deposition of alpha particle tracks and the limited range of alpha particles in tissue produce a highly inhomogeneous energy deposition in traversed cell nuclei. Thus, energy deposition in cell nuclei in a given tissue is characterized by the probability of alpha particle hits and, in the case of a hit, by the energy deposited there. In classical microdosimetry, the randomness of energy deposition in cellular sites is described by a stochastic quantity, the specific energy, which approximates the macroscopic dose for a sufficiently large number of energy deposition events. Typical examples of the alpha-emitting radionuclides in internal microdosimetry are radon progeny and plutonium in the lungs, plutonium and americium in bones, and radium in targeted radionuclide therapy. Several microdosimetric approaches have been proposed to relate specific energy distributions to radiobiological effects, such as hit-related concepts, LET and track length-based models, effect-specific interpretations of specific energy distributions, such as the dual radiation action theory or the hit-size effectiveness function, and finally track structure models. Since microdosimetry characterizes only the initial step of energy deposition, microdosimetric concepts are most successful in exposure situations where biological effects are dominated by energy deposition, but not by subsequently operating biological mechanisms. Indeed, the simulation of the combined action of physical and biological factors may eventually require the application of track structure models at the nanometer scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Hofmann
- Biological Physics, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Str. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Wei Bo Li
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Werner Friedland
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Brian W Miller
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Balázs Madas
- Environmental Physics Department, MTA Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Manuel Bardiès
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, UMR 1037, INSERM Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Imre Balásházy
- Environmental Physics Department, MTA Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary
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3
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Mavragani IV, Nikitaki Z, Kalospyros SA, Georgakilas AG. Ionizing Radiation and Complex DNA Damage: From Prediction to Detection Challenges and Biological Significance. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1789. [PMID: 31739493 PMCID: PMC6895987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological responses to ionizing radiation (IR) have been studied for many years, generally showing the dependence of these responses on the quality of radiation, i.e., the radiation particle type and energy, types of DNA damage, dose and dose rate, type of cells, etc. There is accumulating evidence on the pivotal role of complex (clustered) DNA damage towards the determination of the final biological or even clinical outcome after exposure to IR. In this review, we provide literature evidence about the significant role of damage clustering and advancements that have been made through the years in its detection and prediction using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. We conclude that in the future, emphasis should be given to a better understanding of the mechanistic links between the induction of complex DNA damage, its processing, and systemic effects at the organism level, like genomic instability and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, Greece
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Madas BG, Drozsdik EJ. Effects of mucus thickness and goblet cell hyperplasia on microdosimetric quantities characterizing the bronchial epithelium upon radon exposure. Int J Radiat Biol 2018; 94:967-974. [PMID: 30265181 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1511931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The most exposed tissue upon radon exposure is the bronchial epithelium where goblet cells serve as responsive and adaptable front-line defenders. They can rapidly produce a vast amount of mucus, and can change in number, in response to airway insults. The objective of the present study is to quantify the effects of mucus discharge and goblet cell hyperplasia on the microscopic dose consequences of macroscopic radon exposures. METHODS For this purpose, computational models of the bronchial epithelium and alpha-particle transport have been prepared and applied to quantify the hits received and doses absorbed by cell nuclei in case of different mucus thicknesses and goblet cell number. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Both mucus discharge and induction of goblet cell hyperplasia reduce radiation burden at the cellular level, and as such they both can be considered as radioadaptive responses to radon exposure. As compared to basal cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia is more effective in reducing the microscopic dose consequences of a given macroscopic exposure. Such changes in exposure geometry highlight the need for improvements in the application of biokinetic and dosimetry models for incorporated radionuclides as well as the dose and dose rate effectiveness factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emese J Drozsdik
- a MTA Centre for Energy Research , Budapest , Hungary.,b Doctoral School of Physics , ELTE Eötvös Loránd University , Budapest , Hungary
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Sridharan DM, Asaithamby A, Blattnig SR, Costes SV, Doetsch PW, Dynan WS, Hahnfeldt P, Hlatky L, Kidane Y, Kronenberg A, Naidu MD, Peterson LE, Plante I, Ponomarev AL, Saha J, Snijders AM, Srinivasan K, Tang J, Werner E, Pluth JM. Evaluating biomarkers to model cancer risk post cosmic ray exposure. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2016; 9:19-47. [PMID: 27345199 PMCID: PMC5613937 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Robust predictive models are essential to manage the risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Chronic exposure to cosmic rays in the context of the complex deep space environment may place astronauts at high cancer risk. To estimate this risk, it is critical to understand how radiation-induced cellular stress impacts cell fate decisions and how this in turn alters the risk of carcinogenesis. Exposure to the heavy ion component of cosmic rays triggers a multitude of cellular changes, depending on the rate of exposure, the type of damage incurred and individual susceptibility. Heterogeneity in dose, dose rate, radiation quality, energy and particle flux contribute to the complexity of risk assessment. To unravel the impact of each of these factors, it is critical to identify sensitive biomarkers that can serve as inputs for robust modeling of individual risk of cancer or other long-term health consequences of exposure. Limitations in sensitivity of biomarkers to dose and dose rate, and the complexity of longitudinal monitoring, are some of the factors that increase uncertainties in the output from risk prediction models. Here, we critically evaluate candidate early and late biomarkers of radiation exposure and discuss their usefulness in predicting cell fate decisions. Some of the biomarkers we have reviewed include complex clustered DNA damage, persistent DNA repair foci, reactive oxygen species, chromosome aberrations and inflammation. Other biomarkers discussed, often assayed for at longer points post exposure, include mutations, chromosome aberrations, reactive oxygen species and telomere length changes. We discuss the relationship of biomarkers to different potential cell fates, including proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, and loss of stemness, which can propagate genomic instability and alter tissue composition and the underlying mRNA signatures that contribute to cell fate decisions. Our goal is to highlight factors that are important in choosing biomarkers and to evaluate the potential for biomarkers to inform models of post exposure cancer risk. Because cellular stress response pathways to space radiation and environmental carcinogens share common nodes, biomarker-driven risk models may be broadly applicable for estimating risks for other carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steve R Blattnig
- Langley Research Center, Langley Research Center (LaRC), VA, United States
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Lynn Hlatky
- CCSB-Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yared Kidane
- Wyle Science, Technology & Engineering Group, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Mamta D Naidu
- CCSB-Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Leif E Peterson
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ianik Plante
- Wyle Science, Technology & Engineering Group, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Artem L Ponomarev
- Wyle Science, Technology & Engineering Group, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Janapriya Saha
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Jonathan Tang
- Exogen Biotechnology, Inc., Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Janice M Pluth
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States.
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Barcellos-Hoff MH, Mao JH. HZE Radiation Non-Targeted Effects on the Microenvironment That Mediate Mammary Carcinogenesis. Front Oncol 2016; 6:57. [PMID: 27014632 PMCID: PMC4786544 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear mechanistic understanding of the biological processes elicited by radiation that increase cancer risk can be used to inform prediction of health consequences of medical uses, such as radiotherapy, or occupational exposures, such as those of astronauts during deep space travel. Here, we review the current concepts of carcinogenesis as a multicellular process during which transformed cells escape normal tissue controls, including the immune system, and establish a tumor microenvironment. We discuss the contribution of two broad classes of radiation effects that may increase cancer: radiation targeted effects that occur as a result of direct energy deposition, e.g., DNA damage, and non-targeted effects (NTE) that result from changes in cell signaling, e.g., genomic instability. It is unknown whether the potentially greater carcinogenic effect of high Z and energy (HZE) particle radiation is a function of the relative contribution or extent of NTE or due to unique NTE. We addressed this problem using a radiation/genetic mammary chimera mouse model of breast cancer. Our experiments suggest that NTE promote more aggressive cancers, as evidenced by increased growth rate, transcriptomic signatures, and metastasis, and that HZE particle NTE are more effective than reference γ-radiation. Emerging evidence suggest that HZE irradiation dampens antitumor immunity. These studies raise concern that HZE radiation exposure not only increases the likelihood of developing cancer but also could promote progression to more aggressive cancer with a greater risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, CA , USA
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7
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Barcellos-Hoff MH, Blakely EA, Burma S, Fornace AJ, Gerson S, Hlatky L, Kirsch DG, Luderer U, Shay J, Wang Y, Weil MM. Concepts and challenges in cancer risk prediction for the space radiation environment. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2015; 6:92-103. [PMID: 26256633 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is an important long-term risk for astronauts exposed to protons and high-energy charged particles during travel and residence on asteroids, the moon, and other planets. NASA's Biomedical Critical Path Roadmap defines the carcinogenic risks of radiation exposure as one of four type I risks. A type I risk represents a demonstrated, serious problem with no countermeasure concepts, and may be a potential "show-stopper" for long duration spaceflight. Estimating the carcinogenic risks for humans who will be exposed to heavy ions during deep space exploration has very large uncertainties at present. There are no human data that address risk from extended exposure to complex radiation fields. The overarching goal in this area to improve risk modeling is to provide biological insight and mechanistic analysis of radiation quality effects on carcinogenesis. Understanding mechanisms will provide routes to modeling and predicting risk and designing countermeasures. This white paper reviews broad issues related to experimental models and concepts in space radiation carcinogenesis as well as the current state of the field to place into context recent findings and concepts derived from the NASA Space Radiation Program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sandeep Burma
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Lynn Hlatky
- Center of Cancer Systems Biology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jerry Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ya Wang
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Illa-Bochaca I, Ouyang H, Tang J, Sebastiano C, Mao JH, Costes SV, Demaria S, Barcellos-Hoff MH. Densely Ionizing Radiation Acts via the Microenvironment to Promote Aggressive Trp53-Null Mammary Carcinomas. Cancer Res 2014; 74:7137-48. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Lee KF, Chen YC, Hsu PWC, Liu IY, Wu LSH. MicroRNA expression profiling altered by variant dosage of radiation exposure. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:456323. [PMID: 25313363 PMCID: PMC4182081 DOI: 10.1155/2014/456323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Various biological effects are associated with radiation exposure. Irradiated cells may elevate the risk for genetic instability, mutation, and cancer under low levels of radiation exposure, in addition to being able to extend the postradiation side effects in normal tissues. Radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) is the focus of rigorous research as it may promote the development of cancer even at low radiation doses. Alterations in the DNA sequence could not explain these biological effects of radiation and it is thought that epigenetics factors may be involved. Indeed, some microRNAs (or miRNAs) have been found to correlate radiation-induced damages and may be potential biomarkers for the various biological effects caused by different levels of radiation exposure. However, the regulatory role that miRNA plays in this aspect remains elusive. In this study, we profiled the expression changes in miRNA under fractionated radiation exposure in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. By utilizing publicly available microRNA knowledge bases and performing cross validations with our previous gene expression profiling under the same radiation condition, we identified various miRNA-gene interactions specific to different doses of radiation treatment, providing new insights for the molecular underpinnings of radiation injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Fang Lee
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Zhongyang Road, Section 3, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics, Center for Genetic Counseling, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Chen
- Department of Computer Science & Information Engineering, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 25137, Taiwan
| | - Paul Wei-Che Hsu
- Bioinformatics Core Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ingrid Y. Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Lawrence Shih-Hsin Wu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Zhongyang Road, Section 3, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
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Leszczynski D. The grand challenge: use of a new approach in developing policies in the area of radiation and health. Front Public Health 2014; 2:50. [PMID: 24904914 PMCID: PMC4033232 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Leszczynski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
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