Early postnatal irradiation-induced age-dependent changes in adult mouse brain: MRI based characterization

Dynamic monitoring of radiation-induced white matter microstructure injury in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via high-angular resolution diffusion imaging

PURPOSE

To investigate white matter microstructural abnormalities caused by radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients using MRI high-angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI).

METHODS

We included 127 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC: 36 in the pre-radiotherapy group, 29 in the acute response period (post-RT-AP), 23 in the early delayed period (post-RT-ED) group, and 39 in the late-delayed period (post-RT-LD) group. HARDI data were acquired for each patient, and dispersion parameters were calculated to compare the differences in specific fibre bundles among the groups. The Montreal Neurocognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate neurocognitive function, and the correlations between dispersion parameters and MoCA were analysed.

RESULTS

In the right cingulum frontal parietal bundles, the fractional anisotropy value decreased to the lowest level post-RT-AP and then reversed and increased post-RT-ED and post-RT-LD. The mean, axial, and radial diffusivity were significantly increased in the post-RT-AP (p < 0.05) and decreased in the post-RT-ED and post-RT-LD groups to varying degrees. MoCA scores were decreased post-radiotherapy than those before radiotherapy (p = 0.005). MoCA and mean diffusivity exhibited a mild correlation in the left cingulum frontal parahippocampal bundle.

CONCLUSIONS

White matter tract changes detected by HARDI are potential biomarkers for monitoring radiotherapy-related brain damage in NPC patients.

Development and advancements in rodent MRI-based brain atlases

Rodents, particularly mice and rats, are extensively utilized in fundamental neuroscience research. Brain atlases have played a pivotal role in this field, evolving from traditional printed histology atlases to digital atlases incorporating diverse imaging datasets. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brain atlases, also known as brain maps, have been employed in specific studies. However, the existence of numerous versions of MRI-based brain atlases has impeded their standardized application and widespread use, despite the consensus within the academic community regarding their significance in mice and rats. Furthermore, there is a dearth of comprehensive and systematic reviews on MRI-based brain atlases for rodents. This review aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the advancements in MRI-based brain atlases for rodents, with a specific focus on mice and rats. It seeks to explore the advantages and disadvantages of histologically printed brain atlases in comparison to MRI brain atlases, delineate the standardized methods for creating MRI brain atlases, and summarize their primary applications in neuroscience research. Additionally, this review aims to assist researchers in selecting appropriate versions of MRI brain atlases for their studies or refining existing MRI brain atlas resources, thereby facilitating the development and widespread adoption of standardized MRI-based brain atlases in rodents.

Dual Effects of miR-181b-2-3p/SOX21 Interaction on Microglia and Neural Stem Cells after Gamma Irradiation

Ionizing radiation induces brain inflammation and the impairment of neurogenesis by activating microglia and inducing apoptosis in neurogenic zones. However, the causal relationship between microglial activation and the impairment of neurogenesis as well as the relevant molecular mechanisms involved in microRNA (miR) remain unknown. In the present study, we employed immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR to study the microglial activation and miRNA expression in mouse brains. Real-time RT-PCR, western blot, ELISA, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay were used in BV2 and mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). In the mouse model, we found the acute activation of microglia at 1 day and an increased number of microglial cells at 1, 7 and 120 days after irradiation at postnatal day 3 (P3), day 10 (P10) and day 21 (P21), respectively. In cell models, the activation of BV2, a type of microglial cell line, was observed after gamma irradiation. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed a deceased expression of miR-181b-2-3p and an increased expression of its target SRY-related high-mobility group box transcription factor 21 (SOX21) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The results of the luciferase reporter assay confirmed that SOX21 was the target of miR-181b-2-3p. Furthermore, SOX21 knockdown by siRNA inhibited the activation of microglia, thereby suggesting that the direct interaction of 181b-2-3p with SOX21 might be involved in radiation-induced microglial activation and proliferation. Interestingly, the gamma irradiation of NSCs increased miR-181b-2-3p expression but decreased SOX21 mRNA, which was the opposite of irradiation-induced expression in BV2 cells. As irradiation reduced the viability and proliferation of NSCs, whereas the overexpression of SOX21 restored the impaired cell viability and promoted the proliferation of NSCs, the findings suggest that the radiation-induced interaction of miR-181b-2-3p with SOX21 may play dual roles in microglia and NSCs, respectively, leading to the impairment of brain neurogenesis.

Anemia - an initial manifestation of Bing-Neel syndrome: A case report

RATIONALE

It is very likely that we will miss Bing-Neel syndrome (BNS) when its initial sign is anemia.Patient concerns: A 59-year-old woman presented with episodic loss of consciousness, anemia, and extremity muscle strength scores (5-) and extremity tendon reflexes (++).

DIAGNOSES

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed abnormal signal in the left hippocampus, left insula, and right occipital lobe. Quantitative serum immunoglobulins showed elevated immunoglobulinm (IgM) (60.6g/L). Bone marrow biopsy showed lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and tested positive for the MYD88 L265P mutation suggesting Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent 3 plasma exchange treatments in the department of hematology followed by chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide for injection, bortezomib for injection).

OUTCOMES

The patient's condition improved after treatment.

LESSONS

Clinicians must remain vigilant, as BNS may be the only sign of WM progression in a patient well-controlled on treatment.

Cross-translational models of late-onset cognitive sequelae and their treatment in pediatric brain tumor survivors

Pediatric brain tumor treatments have a high success rate, but survivors are at risk of cognitive sequelae that impact long-term quality of life. We summarize recent clinical and animal model research addressing pathogenesis or evaluating candidate interventions for treatment-induced cognitive sequelae. Assayed interventions encompass a broad range of approaches, including modifications to radiotherapy, modulation of immune response, prevention of treatment-induced cell loss or promotion of cell renewal, manipulation of neuronal signaling, and lifestyle/environmental adjustments. We further emphasize the potential of neuroimaging as a key component of cross-translation to contextualize laboratory research within broader clinical findings. This cross-translational approach has the potential to accelerate discovery to improve pediatric cancer survivors' long-term quality of life.

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of γH2AX in the mouse brain after acute irradiation at different postnatal days with special reference to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus

Gamma H2A histone family member X (γH2AX) is a molecular marker of aging and disease. However, radiosensitivity of the different brain cells, including neurons, glial cells, cells in cerebrovascular system, epithelial cells in pia mater, ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain in immature animals at different postnatal days remains unknown. Whether radiation-induced γH2AX foci in immature brain persist in adult animals still needs to be investigated. Hence, using a mouse model, we showed an extensive postnatal age-dependent induction of γH2AX foci in different brain regions at 1 day after whole body gamma irradiation with 5Gy at postnatal day 3 (P3), P10 and P21. P3 mouse brain epithelial cells in pia mater, glial cells in white matter and cells in cerebrovascular system were more radiosensitive at one day after radiation exposure than those from P10 and P21 mice. Persistent DNA damage foci (PDDF) were consistently demonstrated in the brain at 120 days and 15 months after irradiation at P3, P10 and P21, and these mice had shortened lifespan compared to the age-matched control. Our results suggest that early life irradiation-induced PDDF at later stages of animal life may be related to the brain aging and shortened life expectancy of irradiated animals.