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Muhtadi R, Bernhardt D, Multhoff G, Hönikl L, Combs SE, Krieg SM, Gempt J, Meyer B, Barsegian V, Lindemann M, Kasper M, Stewart S, Port M, Abend M, Diehl CD, Ostheim P. Liquid Biopsy in Whole Blood for Identification of Gene Expression Patterns (mRNA and miRNA) Associated with Recurrence of Glioblastoma WHO CNS Grade 4. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2345. [PMID: 39001407 PMCID: PMC11240769 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
GBM WHO CNS Grade 4 represents a major challenge for oncology due to its aggressive behavior. Conventional imaging has restrictions in detecting tumor recurrence. This prospective study aims to identify gene-based biomarkers in whole blood instead of isolating exosomes for the early detection of tumor recurrence. Blood samples (n = 33) were collected from seven GBM patients at time points before and after surgery as well as upon tumor recurrence. Four tumor tissue samples were assessed in parallel. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), including mRNA-seq and small RNA-seq, was used to analyze gene expression profiles in blood samples and tumor tissues. A novel filtering pipeline was invented to narrow down potential candidate genes. In total, between 6-93 mRNA and 1-19 small RNA candidates could be identified among the seven patients. The overlap of genes between the patients was minimal, indicating significant inter-individual variance among GBM patients. In summary, this prospective study supports the applicability of gene expression measurements in whole blood for the detection of tumor recurrence. It might provide an alternative to the challenging workflow of liquid biopsy after laborious exosome isolation from whole blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razan Muhtadi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
- Graduate Center of Medicine and Health, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Denise Bernhardt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (D.B.); (G.M.); (S.E.C.)
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (D.B.); (G.M.); (S.E.C.)
| | - Lisa Hönikl
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.H.); (S.M.K.); (J.G.); (B.M.)
| | - Stephanie E. Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (D.B.); (G.M.); (S.E.C.)
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translational Krebsforschung (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Radiation Medicine (IRM), Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Centre, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Sandro M. Krieg
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.H.); (S.M.K.); (J.G.); (B.M.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Gempt
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.H.); (S.M.K.); (J.G.); (B.M.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Meyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.H.); (S.M.K.); (J.G.); (B.M.)
| | - Vahé Barsegian
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Helios Kliniken, 19055 Schwerin, Germany;
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Mandy Kasper
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
- Graduate Center of Medicine and Health, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
| | - Christian D. Diehl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (D.B.); (G.M.); (S.E.C.)
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translational Krebsforschung (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Radiation Medicine (IRM), Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Centre, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (R.M.); (M.K.); (S.S.); (M.P.); (M.A.)
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Tamarat R, Satyamitra MM, Benderitter M, DiCarlo AL. Radiation-induced gastrointestinal and cutaneous injuries: understanding models, pathologies, assessments, and clinically accepted practices. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:969-981. [PMID: 38787685 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2024.2356544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A U. S. and European joint effort fostering the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) operable in case of radiological or nuclear emergencies. METHODS Based on the joint engagement between the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the French Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), a Statement of Intent to Collaborate was signed in 2014 and a series of working group meeting were established. In December 2022, the NIAID and IRSN hosted a five-day, U.S./European meeting titled 'Radiation-Induced Cutaneous and Gastrointestinal Injuries: Advances in Understanding Pathologies, Assessment, and Clinically Accepted Practices' in Paris, France. The goals of the meeting were to bring together U.S. and European investigators to explore new research avenues for the medical management of skin and gastrointestinal injuries, including specific diagnostics for each organ system, animal models, and promising medical countermeasures (MCMs) to mitigate radiation damage. There was also an emphasis on exploring additional areas of medicine and response to understand best practices from other emergency scenarios, which could be leveraged to improve radiation preparedness, and the importance of accurate dosimetry in preclinical work. RESULTS Subsequent to the workshop, seven collaborative projects, funded by both organizations, were established on topics ranging from MCMs and predictive biomarkers, and using physical methods to assess cutaneous radiation injuries, to mechanistic studies to understand radiation-induced damage in multiple organ systems. The importance of accurate dosimetry in preclinical works was highlighted and two recently published U.S./European commentaries that focus on the need for dosimetry standardization in the reported literature had their origins in this meeting. This commentary summarizes the workshop and open discussions among academic investigators, industry researchers, and U.S. and IRSN program representatives. CONCLUSIONS Given the substantive progress made due to these interactions, both groups plan to expand out these meetings by incorporating high-level investigators from across the globe, while endeavoring to maintain the informal setting that was conducive to in-depth scientific discussion and enhanced the state of the science in radiation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radia Tamarat
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Merriline M Satyamitra
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Marc Benderitter
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Andrea L DiCarlo
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD, USA
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Schwanke D, Schüle S, Stewart S, Fatanmi OO, Wise SY, Hackenbroch C, Wiegel T, Singh VK, Port M, Abend M, Ostheim P. Validating a Four-gene Set for H-ARS Severity Prediction in Peripheral Blood Samples of Irradiated Rhesus Macaques. Radiat Res 2024; 201:504-513. [PMID: 38471521 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00162.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Increased radiological and nuclear threats require preparedness. Our earlier work identified a set of four genes (DDB2, FDXR, POU2AF1 and WNT3), which predicts severity of the hematological acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS) within the first three days postirradiation In this study of 41 Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, 27 males, 14 females) irradiated with 5.8-7.2 Gy (LD29-50/60), including some treated with gamma-tocotrienol (GT3, a radiation countermeasure) we independently validated these genes as predictors in both sexes and examined them after three days. At the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute/Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, peripheral whole blood (1 ml) of Rhesus macaques was collected into PAXgene® Blood RNA tubes pre-irradiation after 1, 2, 3, 35 and 60 days postirradiation, stored at -80°C for internal experimental analyses. Leftover tubes from these already ongoing studies were kindly provided to Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology. RNA was isolated (QIAsymphony), converted into cDNA, and for further gene expression (GE) studies quantitative RT-PCR was performed. Differential gene expression (DGE) was measured relative to the pre-irradiation Rhesus macaques samples. Within the first three days postirradiation, we found similar results to human data: 1. FDXR and DDB2 were up-regulated, FDXR up to 3.5-fold, and DDB2 up to 13.5-fold in the median; 2. POU2AF1 appeared down regulated around tenfold in nearly all Rhesus macaques; 3. Contrary to human data, DDB2 was more up-regulated than FDXR, and the difference of the fold change (FC) ranged between 2.4 and 10, while the median fold changes of WNT3, except days 1 and 35, were close to 1. Nevertheless, 46% of the Rhesus macaques showed down-regulated WNT3 on day one postirradiation, which decreased to 12.2% on day 3 postirradiation. Considering the extended phase, there was a trend towards decreased fold changes at day 35, with median-fold changes ranging from 0.7 for DDB2 to 0.1 for POU2AF1, and on day 60 postirradiation, DGE in surviving animals was close to pre-exposure values for all four genes. In conclusion, the diagnostic significance for radiation-induced H-ARS severity prediction of FDXR, DDB2, and POU2AF1 was confirmed in this Rhesus macaques model. However, DDB2 showed higher GE values than FDXR. As shown in previous studies, the diagnostic significance of WNT3 could not be reproduced in Rhesus macaques; this could be due to the choice of animal model and methodological challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Schwanke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - O O Fatanmi
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, and
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - S Y Wise
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, and
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - C Hackenbroch
- Department of Radiology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm Germany
| | - T Wiegel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - V K Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, and
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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Stewart S, Motzke S, Gärtner C, Bäumler W, Stroszczynski C, Port M, Abend M, Ostheim P. Development of a Point-of-Care Microfluidic RNA Extraction Slide for Gene Expression Diagnosis after Irradiation. Radiat Res 2024; 201:514-522. [PMID: 38514385 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00169.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In times of war, radiological/nuclear emergency scenarios have become a reemphasized threat. However, there are challenges in transferring whole-blood samples to laboratories for specialized diagnostics using RNA. This project aims to miniaturize the process of unwieldy conventional RNA extraction with its stationed technical equipment using a microfluidic-based slide (MBS) for point-of-care diagnostics. The MBS is thought to be a preliminary step toward the development of a so-called lab-on-a-chip microfluidic device. A MBS would enable early and fast field care combined with gene expression (GE) analysis for the prediction of hematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) severity or identification of RNA microbes. Whole blood samples from ten healthy donors were irradiated with 0, 0.5 and 4 Gy, simulating different ARS severity degrees. RNA quality and quantity of a preliminary MBS was compared with a conventional column-based (CB) RNA extraction method. GE of four HARS severity-predicting radiation-induced genes (FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1 and WNT3) was examined employing qRT-PCR. Compared to the CB method, twice as much total RNA from whole blood could be extracted using the MBS (6.6 ± 3.2 µg vs. 12.0 ± 5.8 µg) in half of the extraction time, and all MBS RNA extracts appeared DNA-free in contrast to the CB method (30% were contaminated with DNA). Using MBS, RNA quality [RNA integrity number equivalent (RINe)] values decreased about threefold (3.3 ± 0.8 vs. 9.0 ± 0.4), indicating severe RNA degradation, while expected high-quality RINe ≥ 8 were found using column-based method. However, normalized cycle threshold (Ct) values, as well as radiation-induced GE fold-changes appeared comparable for all genes utilizing both methods, indicating that no RNA degradation took place. In summary, the preliminary MBS showed promising features such as: 1. halving the RNA extraction time without the burden of heavy technical equipment (e.g., a centrifuge); 2. absence of DNA contamination in contrast to CB RNA extraction; 3. reduction in blood required, because of twice the biological output of RNA; and 4. equal GE performance compared to CB, thus, increasing its appeal for later semi-automatic parallel field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Technical Univerisity Munich, Ismanninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - S Motzke
- Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Stockholmer Str. 20, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - C Gärtner
- Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Stockholmer Str. 20, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - W Bäumler
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß Straße 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Stroszczynski
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß Straße 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß Straße 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Schüle S, Bunert F, Hackenbroch C, Beer M, Ostheim P, Stewart S, Port M, Scherthan H, Abend M. The Influence of Computed Tomography Contrast Agent on Radiation-Induced Gene Expression and Double-Strand Breaks. Radiat Res 2024; 201:396-405. [PMID: 38282002 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00118.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
After nuclear scenarios, combined injuries of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) with, e.g., abdominal trauma, will occur and may require contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans for diagnostic purposes. Here, we investigated the effect of iodinated contrast agents on radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes used for biodosimetry (AEN, BAX, CDKN1A, EDA2R, APOBEC3H) and for hematologic ARS severity prediction (FDXR, DDB2, WNT3, POU2AF1), and on the induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) used for biodosimetry. Whole blood samples from 10 healthy donors (5 males, 5 females, mean age: 28 ± 2 years) were irradiated with X rays (0, 1 and 4 Gy) with and without the addition of iodinated contrast agent (0.016 ml contrast agent/ml blood) to the blood prior to the exposure. The amount of contrast agent was set to be equivalent to the blood concentration of an average patient (80 kg) during a contrast-enhanced CT scan. After irradiation, blood samples were incubated at 37°C for 20 min (DSB) and 8 h (GE, DSB). GE was measured employing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. DSB foci were revealed by γH2AX + 53BP1 immunostaining and quantified automatically in >927 cells/sample. Radiation-induced differential gene expression (DGE) and DSB foci were calculated using the respective unexposed sample without supplementation of contrast agent as the reference. Neither the GE nor the number of DSB foci was significantly (P = 0.07-0.94) altered by the contrast agent application. However, for some GE and DSB comparisons with/without contrast agent, there were weakly significant differences (P = 0.03-0.04) without an inherent logic and thus are likely due to inter-individual variation. In nuclear events, the diagnostics of combined injuries can require the use of an iodinated contrast agent, which, according to our results, does not alter or influence radiation-induced GE changes and the quantity of DSB foci. Therefore, the gene expression and γH2AX focus assay can still be applied for biodosimetry and/or hematologic ARS severity prediction in such scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, German Armed Force Hospital of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Felix Bunert
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Hackenbroch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, German Armed Force Hospital of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinrad Beer
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Harry Scherthan
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
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Ostheim P, Tichý A, Badie C, Davidkova M, Kultova G, Stastna MM, Sirak I, Stewart S, Schwanke D, Kasper M, Ghandhi SA, Amundson SA, Bäumler W, Stroszczynski C, Port M, Abend M. Applicability of Gene Expression in Saliva as an Alternative to Blood for Biodosimetry and Prediction of Radiation-induced Health Effects. Radiat Res 2024; 201:523-534. [PMID: 38499035 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00176.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
As the great majority of gene expression (GE) biodosimetry studies have been performed using blood as the preferred source of tissue, searching for simple and less-invasive sampling methods is important when considering biodosimetry approaches. Knowing that whole saliva contains an ultrafiltrate of blood and white blood cells, it is expected that the findings in blood can also be found in saliva. This human in vivo study aims to examine radiation-induced GE changes in saliva for biodosimetry purposes and to predict radiation-induced disease, which is yet poorly characterized. Furthermore, we examined whether transcriptional biomarkers in blood can also be found equivalently in saliva. Saliva and blood samples were collected in parallel from radiotherapy (RT) treated patients who suffered from head and neck cancer (n = 8) undergoing fractioned partial-body irradiations (1.8 Gy/fraction and 50-70 Gy total dose). Samples were taken 12-24 h before first irradiation and ideally 24 and 48 h, as well as 5 weeks after radiotherapy onset. Due to the low quality and quantity of isolated RNA samples from one patient, they had to be excluded from further analysis, leaving a total of 24 saliva and 24 blood samples from 7 patients eligible for analysis. Using qRT-PCR, 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA (the ratio being a surrogate for the relative human RNA/bacterial burden), four housekeeping genes and nine mRNAs previously identified as radiation responsive in blood-based studies were detected. Significant GE associations with absorbed dose were found for five genes and after the 2nd radiotherapy fraction, shown by, e.g., the increase of CDKN1A (2.0 fold, P = 0.017) and FDXR (1.9 fold increased, P = 0.002). After the 25th radiotherapy fraction, however, all four genes (FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1, WNT3) predicting ARS (acute radiation syndrome) severity, as well as further genes (including CCNG1 [median-fold change (FC) = 0.3, P = 0.013], and GADD45A (median-FC = 0.3, P = 0.031)) appeared significantly downregulated (FC = 0.3, P = 0.01-0.03). A significant association of CCNG1, POU2AF1, HPRT1, and WNT3 (P = 0.006-0.04) with acute or late radiotoxicity could be shown before the onset of these clinical outcomes. In an established set of four genes predicting acute health effects in blood, the response in saliva samples was similar to the expected up- (FDXR, DDB2) or downregulation (POU2AF1, WNT3) in blood for up to 71% of the measurements. Comparing GE responses (PHPT1, CCNG1, CDKN1A, GADD45A, SESN1) in saliva and blood samples, there was a significant linear association between saliva and blood response of CDKN1A (R2 = 0.60, P = 0.0004). However, the GE pattern of other genes differed between saliva and blood. In summary, the current human in vivo study, (I) reveals significant radiation-induced GE associations of five transcriptional biomarkers in salivary samples, (II) suggests genes predicting diverse clinical outcomes such as acute and late radiotoxicity as well as ARS severity, and (III) supports the view that blood-based GE response can be reflected in saliva samples, indicating that saliva is a "mirror of the body" for certain but not all genes and, thus, studies for each gene of interest in blood are required for saliva.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Tichý
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences in Hradec Kralove, University of Defence in Brno, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - C Badie
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - M Davidkova
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - G Kultova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences in Hradec Kralove, University of Defence in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - M Markova Stastna
- Institute for Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Hospital Na Bulovce, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Sirak
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital and Medical Faculty in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - S Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - D Schwanke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Kasper
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S A Ghandhi
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032
| | - S A Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032
| | - W Bäumler
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Stroszczynski
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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7
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Schwanke D, Valente M, Ostheim P, Schüle S, Bobyk L, Drouet M, Riccobono D, Magné N, Daguenet E, Stewart SJ, Muhtadi R, Port M, Abend M. Validation of genes for H-ARS severity prediction in leukemia patients - interspecies comparison, challenges, and promises. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:527-540. [PMID: 38227483 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2295295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a previous baboon-study, a total of 29 genes were identified for clinical outcome prediction of the hematologic, acute, radiation, syndrome (H-ARS) severity. Among them, four genes (FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1, WNT3) appeared promising and were validated in five leukemia patients. Within this study, we sought further in-vivo validation in a larger number of whole-body irradiated patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Peripheral blood was drawn from 10 leukemia patients before and up to 3 days during a fractionated (2 Gy/day) total-body irradiation (TBI) with 2-12Gy. After RNA-isolation, gene expression (GE) was evaluated on 31 genes widely used in biodosimetry and H-ARS prediction employing qRT-PCR. A customized low-density-array (LDA) allowed simultanously analyzing all genes, the 96-well format further examined the four most promising genes. Fold-changes (FC) in GE relative to pre-irradiation were calculated. RESULTS Five patients suffering from acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia (ALL) respectively non-Hodgkin-lymphoma (NHL) revealed sufficient RNA-amounts and corresponding lymphocyte and neutrophile counts for running qRT-PCR, while acute-myeloid-leukemia (AML) and one myelofibrosis patient could not supply enough RNA. Generally, 1-2µg total RNA was isolated, whereas up to 10-fold differences in RNA-quantities (associated suppressed GE-changes) were identified among pre-exposure and exposure samples. From 31 genes, 23 were expressed in at least one of the pre-exposure samples. Relative to pre-exposure, the number of expressed genes could halve at 48 and 72h after irradiation. Using the LDA, 13 genes were validated in human samples. The four most promising genes (vid. sup.) were either undetermined or too close to pre-exposure. However, they were measured using the more sensitive 96-well format, except WNT3, which wasn´t detectable. As in previous studies, an opposite regulation in GE for FDXR in leukemia patients (up-regulated) relative to baboons (down-regulated) was reconfirmed. Radiation-induced GE-changes of DDB2 (up-regulated) and POU2AF1 (down-regulated) behaved similarly in both species. Hence, 16 out of 23 genes of two species showed GE-changes in the same direction, and up-regulated FDXR as in human studies were revalidated. CONCLUSION Identified genes for H-ARS severity prediction, previously detected in baboons, were validated in ALL but not in AML patients. Limitations related to leukemia type, associated reduced RNA amounts, suppressed GE changes, and methodological challenges must be considered as factors negatively affecting the total number of validated genes. Based on that, we propose additional controls including blood cell counts and preferably fluorescence-based RNA quantity measurements for selecting promising samples and using a more sensitive 96-well format for candidate genes with low baseline copy numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Valente
- Department of Radiation Biological Effects, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | | | - Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Laure Bobyk
- Department of Radiation Biological Effects, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Michel Drouet
- Department of Radiation Biological Effects, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Diane Riccobono
- Department of Radiation Biological Effects, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Nicolas Magné
- Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology Laboratory, Lyon-Sud Medical School, UMR CNRS5822/IP2I, Univ Lyon, Lyon 1 University, Oullins, France
- Department of Radiotherapy, Lucien Neuwirth Institute, Saint Priest en Jarez, France
- Department of Radiotherapy, Bergonié Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Razan Muhtadi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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8
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Schüle S, Ostheim P, Muhtadi R, Stewart S, Kaletka G, Hermann C, Port M, Abend M. Evaluating transport conditions of conventional, widely used EDTA blood tubes for gene expression analysis in comparison to expensive, specialized PAXgene tubes in preparedness for radiological and nuclear events. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 100:99-107. [PMID: 37676284 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2250871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gene expression (GE) analysis of a radio-sensitive gene set (FDXR, DDB2, WNT3, POU2AF1) has been introduced in the last decade as an early and high-throughput prediction tool of later developing acute hematologic radiation syndrome (H-ARS) severity. The use of special tubes for RNA extraction from peripheral whole blood (PAXgene) represent an established standard in GE studies, although uncommonly used in clinics and not immediately available in the quantities needed in radiological/nuclear (R/N) incidents. On the other hand, EDTA blood tubes are widely utilized in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using blood samples from eleven healthy donors, we investigated GE changes associated with delayed processing of EDTA tubes up to 4 h at room temperature (RT) after venipuncture (simulating delays caused by daily clinical routine), followed by a subsequent transport time of 24 h at RT, 4 °C, and -20 °C. Differential gene expression (DGE) of the target genes was further examined after X-irradiation with 0 Gy and 4 Gy under optimal transport conditions. RESULTS No significant changes in DGE were observed when storing EDTA whole blood samples up to 4 h at RT and subsequently kept at 4 °C for 24 h which is in line with expected DGE. However, other storage conditions, such as -20 °C or RT, decreased RNA quality and/or (significantly) caused changes in DGE exceeding the known methodological variance of the qRT-PCR. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the use of EDTA whole blood tubes for GE-based H-ARS severity prediction is comparable to the quality of PAXgene tubes, when processed ≤ 4 h after venipuncture and the sample is transported within 24 hours at 4 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Razan Muhtadi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Gwendolyn Kaletka
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelius Hermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
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9
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Bhagi S, Chandna S. A simplified protocol for gene expression-based biological dosimetry using peripheral whole blood. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:1692-1701. [PMID: 37436720 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2231531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Assessing alterations in the expression of radiation-responsive genes in peripheral blood cells is considered a promising approach for high-throughput radiation biodosimetry. However, optimization of conditions for storage and transport of blood samples would be critical for obtaining reliable results. Recent studies involved the incubation of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (in cell culture medium) and/or use of RNA stabilizing agents for sample storage, immediately after the ex vivo irradiation of whole blood. We used a simpler protocol by incubating undiluted peripheral whole blood without any RNA stabilizing agent, and studied the impact of storage temperature and incubation time on the expression levels of 19 known radiation responsive genes. MATERIALS & METHODS Peripheral whole blood was γ-irradiated ex vivo at room temperature at low (0.5 Gy), moderate (1 Gy, 2 Gy) and high (4 Gy) doses and immediately incubated at two different temperatures at 4 °C or 37 °C for 2h, 4h and 24 h. Using qRT-PCR, mRNA expression levels of CDKN1A, DDB2, GADD45A, FDXR, BAX, BBC3, MYC, PCNA, XPC, ZMAT3, AEN, TRIAP1, CCNG1, RPS27L, CD70, EI24, C12orf5, TNFRSF10B, ASCC3 were analyzed at respective time-points and compared with the sham-irradiated controls. RESULTS Transcriptional responses of all 19 genes did not alter significantly upon incubation of whole blood samples at 4 °C, as compared to untreated controls. However, incubation at 37 °C for 24 h resulted in significant radiation-induced overexpression in 14 out of the 19 genes analyzed (except CDKN1A, BBC3, MYC, CD 70 and EI24). Detailed patterns during incubation at 37 °C revealed time-dependent up-regulation of these genes, with DDB2 and FDXR showing significant up-regulation both at 4 and 24 h with the highest fold-change observed. CONCLUSION Overall, the undiluted whole blood incubated at 37 °C for 24 h was found to elicit most optimal transcriptional response in the genes studied, with most profound overexpression of DDB2 and FDXR. We propose that sample storage/transport/post-transit incubation at the physiological temperature for up to 24 h may enhance the sensitivity of gene expression based biodosimetry and facilitate its usage for triage application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchi Bhagi
- Division of Molecular & Radiation Biosciences, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Brig SK Mazumdar Marg, Delhi, 110054, India
| | - Sudhir Chandna
- Division of Molecular & Radiation Biosciences, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Brig SK Mazumdar Marg, Delhi, 110054, India
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10
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López-Riego M, Płódowska M, Lis-Zajęcka M, Jeziorska K, Tetela S, Węgierek-Ciuk A, Sobota D, Braziewicz J, Lundholm L, Lisowska H, Wojcik A. The DNA damage response to radiological imaging: from ROS and γH2AX foci induction to gene expression responses in vivo. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2023:10.1007/s00411-023-01033-4. [PMID: 37335333 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01033-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Candidate ionising radiation exposure biomarkers must be validated in humans exposed in vivo. Blood from patients undergoing positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan (PET-CT) and skeletal scintigraphy (scintigraphy) was drawn before (0 h) and after (2 h) the procedure for correlation analyses of the response of selected biomarkers with radiation dose and other available patient information. FDXR, CDKN1A, BBC3, GADD45A, XPC, and MDM2 expression was determined by qRT-PCR, DNA damage (γH2AX) by flow cytometry, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by flow cytometry using the 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate test in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). For ROS experiments, 0- and 2-h samples were additionally exposed to UVA to determine whether diagnostic irradiation conditioned the response to further oxidative insult. With some exceptions, radiological imaging induced weak γH2AX foci, ROS and gene expression fold changes, the latter with good coherence across genes within a patient. Diagnostic imaging did not influence oxidative stress in PBMC successively exposed to UVA. Correlation analyses with patient characteristics led to low correlation coefficient values. γH2AX fold change, which correlated positively with gene expression, presented a weak positive correlation with injected activity, indicating a radiation-induced subtle increase in DNA damage and subsequent activation of the DNA damage response pathway. The exposure discrimination potential of these biomarkers in the absence of control samples as frequently demanded in radiological emergencies, was assessed using raw data. These results suggest that the variability of the response in heterogeneous populations might complicate identifying individuals exposed to low radiation doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagrosa López-Riego
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Magdalena Płódowska
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Milena Lis-Zajęcka
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Kamila Jeziorska
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Sylwia Tetela
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Aneta Węgierek-Ciuk
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Daniel Sobota
- Department of Medical Physics, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Janusz Braziewicz
- Department of Medical Physics, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine With Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Unit, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, Kielce, Poland
| | - Lovisa Lundholm
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Halina Lisowska
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
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11
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Abend M, Ostheim P, Port M. Radiation-Induced Gene Expression Changes Used for Biodosimetry and Clinical Outcome Prediction: Challenges and Promises. Cytogenet Genome Res 2023; 163:223-230. [PMID: 37231879 DOI: 10.1159/000530947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As the war in Ukraine progresses, the radiological and nuclear threat has never been as real as now. The formation of life-threatening acute radiation syndrome (ARS), in particular after the deployment of a nuclear weapon or an attack on a nuclear power station, must be considered realistic. ARS is caused by massive cell death, leading to functional organ deficits and, via systemic inflammatory responses, finally aggravates into multiple organ failure. As a deterministic effect, the severity of the disease dictates the clinical outcome. Hence, predicting ARS severity via biodosimetry or alternative approaches appears straightforward. Because the disease occurs delayed, therapy starting as early as possible has the most significant benefit. A clinically relevant diagnosis should be carried out within the diagnostic time window of about 3 days after exposure. Biodosimetry assays providing retrospective dose estimations within this time frame will support medical management decision-making. However, how closely can dose estimates be associated with the later developing ARS severity degrees when considering dose as one among other determinants of radiation exposure and cell death? From a clinical/triage point of view, ARS severity degrees can be further aggregated into unexposed, weakly diseased (no acute health effects expected), and strongly diseased patient groups, with the latter requiring hospitalization as well as an early and intensive treatment. Radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes occur early after exposure and can be quickly quantified. GE can be used for biodosimetry purposes. Can GE be used to predict later developing ARS severity degrees and allocate individuals to the three clinically relevant groups as well?
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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12
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Schüle S, Bristy EA, Muhtadi R, Kaletka G, Stewart S, Ostheim P, Hermann C, Asang C, Pleimes D, Port M, Abend M. Four Genes Predictive for the Severity of Hematological Damage Reveal a Similar Response after X Irradiation and Chemotherapy. Radiat Res 2023; 199:115-123. [PMID: 36480042 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00068.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Radiological and especially nuclear accidents and incidents pose a threat to populations. In such events, gene expression (GE) analysis of a set of 4 genes (FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1, WNT3) is an emerging approach for early and high-throughput prediction of the later manifesting severity degrees of the hematological acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). Validation of this gene set on radiation victims is difficult since these events are rare. However, chemotherapy (CTX) is widely used e.g., breast cancer patient treatment and pathomechanisms, as well as blood cell count changes are comparable among both exposure types. We wondered whether GE changes are similarly deregulated after CTX, which would be interpreted as a confirmation of our already identified gene set for H-ARS prediction after irradiation. We examined radiation-induced differential GE (DGE) of our gene set as a positive control using in vitro whole blood samples from ten healthy donors (6 females, 4 males, aged: 24-40 years). Blood was incubated in vitro for 8 h after X irradiation with 0 and 4 Gy (1 Gy/min). These data were compared with DGE measured in vivo in blood samples of 10 breast tumor CTX patients (10 females, aged: 39-71 years) before and 4 days after administration of cyclophosphamide and epirubicin. RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed and quantitative real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to assess DGE of FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1 and WNT3 relative to the unexposed samples using TaqMan assays. After X irradiation, we found a significant upregulation (irrespective of sex) with mean fold changes of 21 (P < 0.001) and 7 (P < 0.001) for FDXR and DDB2 and a significant down-regulation with mean fold changes of 2.5 (P < 0.001) and 2 (P = 0.005) for POU2AF1 and WNT3, respectively. After CTX, a similar pattern was observed, although mean fold changes of up-regulated FDXR (6-fold, P < 0.001) and DDB2 (3-fold, P < 0.001) as well as down-regulated POU2AF1 (1.2-fold, P = 0.270) and WNT3 (1.3-fold, P = 0.069) appeared lower corresponding to less altered blood cell count changes observed after CTX compared to historic radiation exposure data. However, a subpopulation of CTX patients (n = 6) showed on average a significant downregulation of POU2AF1 (1.8-fold, P = 0.04) and WNT3 (2.1-fold, P = 0.008). In summary, the pattern of up-regulated GE changes observed in all CTX patients and down-regulated GE changes observed in a subgroup of CTX patients appeared comparable with an already identified gene set predictive for the radiation-induced H-ARS. This underlines the significance of in vivo GE measurements in CTX patients, employed as a surrogate model to further validate already identified radiation-induced GE changes predictive for the H-ARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Effat Ara Bristy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Razan Muhtadi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Gwendolyn Kaletka
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelius Hermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
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13
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Schüle S, Gluzman-Poltorak Z, Vainstein V, Basile LA, Haimerl M, Stroszczynski C, Majewski M, Schwanke D, Port M, Abend M, Ostheim P. Gene Expression Changes in a Prefinal Health Stage of Lethally Irradiated Male and Female Rhesus Macaques. Radiat Res 2023; 199:17-24. [PMID: 36445953 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00083.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes can be used for early and high-throughput biodosimetry within the first three days postirradiation. However, is the method applicable in situations such as the Alexander Litvinenko case or the Goiania accident, where diagnosis occurred in a prefinal health stage? We aimed to characterize gene expression changes in a prefinal health stage of lethally irradiated male and female rhesus macaques. Peripheral blood was drawn pre-exposure and at the prefinal stage of male and female animals, which did not survive whole-body exposure with 700 cGy (LD66/60). RNA samples originated from a blinded randomized Good Laboratory Practice study comprising altogether 142 irradiated rhesus macaques of whom 60 animals and blood samples (15 samples for both time points and sexes) were used for this analysis. We evaluated GE on 34 genes widely used in biodosimetry and prediction of the hematological acute radiation syndrome severity (H-ARS) employing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). These genes were run in duplicate and triplicate and altogether 96 measurements per time point and sex could be performed. In addition, 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was measured to depict the ribosome/transcriptome status as well as for normalization purposes and 16S rRNA was evaluated as a surrogate for bacteremia. Mean differential gene expression (DGE) was calculated for each gene and sex including all replicate measurements and using pre-exposure samples as the reference. From 34 genes, altogether 27 genes appeared expressed. Pre-exposure samples revealed no signs of bacteremia and 18S rRNA GE was in the normal range in all 30 samples. Regarding prefinal samples, 46.7% and 40% of animals appeared infected in females and males, respectively, and for almost all males this was associated with out of normal range 18S rRNA values. The total number of detectable GE measurements was sixfold (females) and 15-fold (males) reduced in prefinal relative to pre-exposure samples and about tenfold lower in 80% of prefinal compared to pre-exposure samples (P < 0.0001). An overall 11-fold (median) downregulation in prefinal compared to pre-exposure samples was identified for most of the 27 genes and even FDXR appeared 4-14-fold downregulated in contrast to a pronounced up-regulation according to cited work. This pattern of overall downregulation of almost all genes and the rapid reduction of detectable genes at a prefinal stage was found in uninfected animals with normal range 18S rRNA as well. In conclusion, in a prefinal stage after lethal radiation exposure, the ribosome/transcriptome status remains present (based on normal range 18S rRNA values) in 60-67% of animals, but the whole transcriptome activity in general appears silenced and cannot be used for biodosimetry purposes, but probably as an indicator for an emerging prefinal health stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Z Gluzman-Poltorak
- Neumedicines Inc, Pasadena, California.,Applied Stem Cell Therapeutics, Milpitas, California
| | - V Vainstein
- Neumedicines Inc, Pasadena, California.,Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - M Haimerl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Stroszczynski
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - M Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany.,Department of Urology, Armed Services Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - D Schwanke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany.,Department of Urology, Armed Services Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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14
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Shakyawar SK, Mishra NK, Vellichirammal NN, Cary L, Helikar T, Powers R, Oberley-Deegan RE, Berkowitz DB, Bayles KW, Singh VK, Guda C. A Review of Radiation-Induced Alterations of Multi-Omic Profiles, Radiation Injury Biomarkers, and Countermeasures. Radiat Res 2023; 199:89-111. [PMID: 36368026 PMCID: PMC10279411 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00187.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing utilization of nuclear power enhances the risks associated with industrial accidents, occupational hazards, and the threat of nuclear terrorism. Exposure to ionizing radiation interferes with genomic stability and gene expression resulting in the disruption of normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by inducing complex biological responses. Exposure to high-dose radiation causes acute radiation syndrome, which leads to hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cerebrovascular, and many other organ-specific injuries. Altered genomic variations, gene expression, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota profiles in blood plasma or tissue samples reflect the whole-body radiation injuries. Hence, multi-omic profiles obtained from high-resolution omics platforms offer a holistic approach for identifying reliable biomarkers to predict the radiation injury of organs and tissues resulting from radiation exposures. In this review, we performed a literature search to systematically catalog the radiation-induced alterations from multi-omic studies and radiation countermeasures. We covered radiation-induced changes in the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and microbiome profiles. Furthermore, we have covered promising multi-omic biomarkers, FDA-approved countermeasure drugs, and other radiation countermeasures that include radioprotectors and radiomitigators. This review presents an overview of radiation-induced alterations of multi-omics profiles and biomarkers, and associated radiation countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil K Shakyawar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nitish K Mishra
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Neetha N Vellichirammal
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Lynnette Cary
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Tomáš Helikar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
| | - Robert Powers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 68588, USA
| | - Rebecca E Oberley-Deegan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - David B Berkowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
| | - Kenneth W Bayles
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Vijay K Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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15
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Vellichirammal NN, Sethi S, Pandey S, Singh J, Wise SY, Carpenter AD, Fatanmi OO, Guda C, Singh VK. Lung transcriptome of nonhuman primates exposed to total- and partial-body irradiation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:584-598. [PMID: 36090752 PMCID: PMC9418744 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The focus of radiation biodosimetry has changed recently, and a paradigm shift for using molecular technologies of omic platforms in addition to cytogenetic techniques has been observed. In our study, we have used a nonhuman primate model to investigate the impact of a supralethal dose of 12 Gy radiation on alterations in the lung transcriptome. We used 6 healthy and 32 irradiated animal samples to delineate radiation-induced changes. We also used a medical countermeasure, γ-tocotrienol (GT3), to observe any changes. We demonstrate significant radiation-induced changes in the lung transcriptome for total-body irradiation (TBI) and partial-body irradiation (PBI). However, no major influence of GT3 on radiation was noted in either comparison. Several common signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, GADD45, and p53, were upregulated in both exposures. TBI activated DNA-damage-related pathways in the lungs, whereas PTEN signaling was activated after PBI. Our study highlights the various transcriptional profiles associated with γ- and X-ray exposures, and the associated pathways include LXR/RXR activation in TBI, whereas pulmonary wound-healing and pulmonary fibrosis signaling was repressed in PBI. Our study provides important insights into the molecular pathways associated with irradiation that can be further investigated for biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahil Sethi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sanjit Pandey
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephen Y. Wise
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alana D. Carpenter
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oluseyi O. Fatanmi
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Vijay K. Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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16
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Schüle S, Ostheim P, Port M, Abend M. Identifying radiation responsive exon-regions of genes often used for biodosimetry and acute radiation syndrome prediction. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9545. [PMID: 35680903 PMCID: PMC9184472 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13577-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression (GE) analysis of FDXR, DDB2, WNT3 and POU2AF1 is a promising approach for identification of clinically relevant groups (unexposed, low- and high exposed) after radiological/nuclear events. However, results from international biodosimetry exercises have shown differences in dose estimates based on radiation-induced GE of the four genes. Also, differences in GE using next-generation-sequening (NGS) and validation with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was reported. These discrepancies could be caused by radiation-responsive differences among exons of the same gene. We performed GE analysis with qRT-PCR using TaqMan-assays covering all exon-regions of FDXR, DDB2, WNT3 and POU2AF1. Peripheral whole blood from three healthy donors was X-irradiated with 0, 0.5 and 4 Gy. After 24 and 48 h a dose-dependent up-regulation across almost all exon-regions for FDXR and DDB2 (4–42-fold) was found. A down-regulation for POU2AF1 (two- to threefold) and WNT3 (< sevenfold) at the 3’-end was found at 4 Gy irradiation only. Hence, this confirms our hypothesis for radiation-responsive exon-regions for WNT3 and POU2AF1, but not for FDXR and DDB2. Finally, we identified the most promising TaqMan-assays for FDXR (e.g. AR7DTG3, Hs00244586_m1), DDB2 (AR47X6H, Hs03044951_m1), WNT3 (Hs00902258_m1, Hs00902257_m1) and POU2AF1 (Hs01573370_g1, Hs01573371_m1) for biodosimetry purposes and acute radiation syndrome prediction, considering several criteria (detection limit, dose dependency, time persistency, inter-individual variability).
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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17
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Winters TA, Taliaferro LP, Satyamitra MM. Development of Biomarkers for Radiation Biodosimetry and Medical Countermeasures Research: Current Status, Utility, and Regulatory Pathways. Radiat Res 2022; 197:554-558. [DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00213.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Winters
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Lanyn P. Taliaferro
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Merriline M. Satyamitra
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
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18
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Abend M, Blakely WF, Ostheim P, Schuele S, Port M. Early molecular markers for retrospective biodosimetry and prediction of acute health effects. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2022; 42:010503. [PMID: 34492641 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac2434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-induced biological changes occurring within hours and days after irradiation can be potentially used for either exposure reconstruction (retrospective dosimetry) or the prediction of consecutively occurring acute or chronic health effects. The advantage of molecular protein or gene expression (GE) (mRNA) marker lies in their capability for early (1-3 days after irradiation), high-throughput and point-of-care diagnosis, required for the prediction of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS) in radiological or nuclear scenarios. These molecular marker in most cases respond differently regarding exposure characteristics such as e.g. radiation quality, dose, dose rate and most importantly over time. Changes over time are in particular challenging and demand certain strategies to deal with. With this review, we provide an overview and will focus on already identified and used mRNA GE and protein markers of the peripheral blood related to the ARS. These molecules are examined in light of 'ideal' characteristics of a biomarkers (e.g. easy accessible, early response, signal persistency) and the validation degree. Finally, we present strategies on the use of these markers considering challenges as their variation over time and future developments regarding e.g. origin of samples, point of care and high-throughput diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - W F Blakely
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S Schuele
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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19
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Ostheim P, Miederer M, Schreckenberger M, Nestler T, Hoffmann MA, Lassmann M, Eberlein U, Barsegian V, Rump A, Majewski M, Port M, Abend M. mRNA and small RNA gene expression changes in peripheral blood to detect internal Ra-223 exposure. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:900-912. [PMID: 34882512 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1998705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Excretion analysis is the established method for detection of incorporated alpha-emitting radionuclides, but it is laborious and time consuming. We sought a simplified method in which changes in gene expression might be measured in human peripheral blood to detect incorporated radionuclides. Such an approach could be used to quickly determine internal exposure in instances of a radiological dispersal device or a radiation accident. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated whole blood samples from five patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and multiple bone metastases (without visceral or nodal involvement), who underwent treatment with the alpha emitting isotope Radium-223 dichloride (Ra-223, Xofigo®). Patients received about 4 MBq per cycle and, depending on survival and treatment tolerance, were followed for six months. We collected 24 blood samples approximately monthly corresponding to treatment cycle. RESULTS Firstly, we conducted whole genome screening of mRNAs (mRNA seq) and small RNAs (small RNA seq) using next generation sequencing in one patient at eight different time points during all six cycles of Ra-223-therapy. We identified 1900 mRNAs and 972 small RNAs (222 miRNAs) that were differentially up- or down-regulated during follow-up after the first treatment with Ra-223. Overall candidate RNA species inclusion criteria were a general (≥|2|-fold) change or with peaking profiles (≥|5|-fold) at specific points in time. Next we chose 72 candidate mRNAs and 101 small RNAs (comprising 29 miRNAs) for methodologic (n = 8 samples, one patient) and independent (n = 16 samples, four patients) validation by qRT-PCR. In total, 15 mRNAs (but no small RNAs) were validated by methodologic and independent testing. However, the deregulation occurred at different time points, showing a large inter-individual variability in response among patients. CONCLUSIONS This proof of concept provides support for the applicability of gene expression measurements to detect internalized alpha-emitting radionuclides, but further work is needed with a larger sample size. While our approach has merit for internal deposition monitoring, it was complicated by the severe clinical condition of the patients we studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Miederer
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mathias Schreckenberger
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim Nestler
- Department of Urology, Federal Armed Services Hospital Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Manuela A Hoffmann
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.,Department of Occupational Health & Safety, Federal Ministry of Defense, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Lassmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uta Eberlein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vahe Barsegian
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Helios Kliniken, Schwerin, Germany
| | - Alexis Rump
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Mattháus Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany.,Department of Urology, Armed Services Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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20
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Satyamitra MM, DiCarlo AL, Hollingsworth BA, Winters TA, Taliaferro LP. Development of Biomarkers for Radiation Biodosimetry and Medical Countermeasures Research: Current Status, Utility, and Regulatory Pathways. Radiat Res 2021; 197:514-532. [PMID: 34879151 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00157.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers are important indicators of biological processes in health or disease. For this reason, they play a critical role in advanced development of radiation biodosimetry tools and medical countermeasures (MCMs). They can aid in the assessment of radiation exposure level, extent of radiation-induced injury, and/or efficacy of an MCM. This meeting report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the 2020 workshop titled, "Biomarkers in Radiation Biodosimetry and Medical Countermeasures," sponsored by the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The main goals of this meeting were to: 1. Provide an overview on biomarkers and to focus on the state of science with regards to biomarkers specific to radiation biodosimetry and MCMs; 2. Understand developmental challenges unique to the role of biomarkers in the fields of radiation biodosimetry and MCM development; and 3. Identify existing gaps and needs for translational application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merriline M Satyamitra
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Andrea L DiCarlo
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Brynn A Hollingsworth
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Thomas A Winters
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
| | - Lanyn P Taliaferro
- Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland
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21
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Ostheim P, Amundson SA, Badie C, Bazyka D, Evans AC, Ghandhi SA, Gomolka M, López Riego M, Rogan PK, Terbrueggen R, Woloschak GE, Zenhausern F, Kaatsch HL, Schüle S, Ullmann R, Port M, Abend M. Gene expression for biodosimetry and effect prediction purposes: promises, pitfalls and future directions - key session ConRad 2021. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:843-854. [PMID: 34606416 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1987571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic or prognostic tool is needed to distinguish unexposed from low- and highly exposed individuals with the latter requiring early and intensive medical care. Radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes observed within hours and days after irradiation have shown potential to serve as biomarkers for either dose reconstruction (retrospective dosimetry) or the prediction of consecutively occurring acute or chronic health effects. The advantage of GE markers lies in their capability for early (1-3 days after irradiation), high-throughput, and point-of-care (POC) diagnosis required for the prediction of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS). CONCLUSIONS As a key session of the ConRad conference in 2021, experts from different institutions were invited to provide state-of-the-art information on a range of topics including: (1) Biodosimetry: What are the current efforts to enhance the applicability of this method to perform retrospective biodosimetry? (2) Effect prediction: Can we apply radiation-induced GE changes for prediction of acute health effects as an approach, complementary to and integrating retrospective dose estimation? (3) High-throughput and point-of-care diagnostics: What are the current developments to make the GE approach applicable as a high-throughput as well as a POC diagnostic platform? (4) Low level radiation: What is the lowest dose range where GE can be used for biodosimetry purposes? (5) Methodological considerations: Different aspects of radiation-induced GE related to more detailed analysis of exons, transcripts and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Sally A Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Christophe Badie
- PHE CRCE, Chilton, Didcot, Oxford, UK.,Environmental Research Group within the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK
| | - Dimitry Bazyka
- National Research Centre for Radiation Medicine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Angela C Evans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Shanaz A Ghandhi
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Gomolka
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz/Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Milagrosa López Riego
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter K Rogan
- Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,CytoGnomix Inc, London, Canada
| | | | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Radiation Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frederic Zenhausern
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Center for Applied Nanobioscience and Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hanns L Kaatsch
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Reinhard Ullmann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
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22
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Port M, Hérodin F, Drouet M, Valente M, Majewski M, Ostheim P, Lamkowski A, Schüle S, Forcheron F, Tichy A, Sirak I, Malkova A, Becker BV, Veit DA, Waldeck S, Badie C, O'Brien G, Christiansen H, Wichmann J, Beutel G, Davidkova M, Doucha-Senf S, Abend M. Gene Expression Changes in Irradiated Baboons: A Summary and Interpretation of a Decade of Findings. Radiat Res 2021; 195:501-521. [PMID: 33788952 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00217.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - F Hérodin
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Drouet
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Valente
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - A Lamkowski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - S Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - F Forcheron
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - A Tichy
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Brno, Czech Republic and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - I Sirak
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - A Malkova
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - B V Becker
- Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - D A Veit
- Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - S Waldeck
- Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - C Badie
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Group, Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health of England, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - G O'Brien
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Group, Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health of England, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - H Christiansen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Wichmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - G Beutel
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Davidkova
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Řež, Czech Republic
| | - S Doucha-Senf
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich Germany
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23
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Majewski M, Ostheim P, Gluzman-Poltorak Z, Vainstein V, Basile L, Schüle S, Haimerl M, Stroszczynski C, Port M, Abend M. Gene expression changes in male and female rhesus macaque 60 days after irradiation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254344. [PMID: 34288924 PMCID: PMC8294544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Transcriptome changes can be expected in survivors after lethal irradiation. We aimed to characterize these in males and females and after different cytokine treatments 60 days after irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male and female rhesus macaques (n = 142) received a whole-body exposure with 700 cGy, from which 60 animals survived. Peripheral whole blood was drawn pre-exposure and before sacrificing the surviving animals after 60 days. RESULTS We evaluated gene expression in a three-phase study design. Phase I was a whole-genome screening (NGS) for mRNAs using five pre- and post-exposure RNA samples from both sexes (n = 20). Differential gene expression (DGE) was calculated between samples of survivors and pre-exposure samples (reference), separately for males and females. 1,243 up- and down-regulated genes were identified with 30-50% more deregulated genes in females. 37 candidate mRNAs were chosen for qRT-PCR validation in phase II using the remaining samples (n = 117). Altogether 17 genes showed (borderline) significant (t-test) DGE in groups of untreated or treated animals. Nine genes (CD248, EDAR, FAM19A5, GAL3ST4, GCNT4, HBG2/1, LRRN1, NOG, SYT14) remained with significant changes and were detected in at least 50% of samples per group. Panther analysis revealed an overlap between both sexes, related to the WNT signaling pathway, cell adhesion and immunological functions. For phase III, we validated the nine genes with candidate genes (n = 32) from an earlier conducted study on male baboons. Altogether 14 out of 41 genes showed a concordantly DGE across both species in a bilateral comparison. CONCLUSIONS Sixty days after radiation exposure, we identified (1) sex and cytokine treatment independent transcriptional changes, (2) females with almost twice as much deregulated genes appeared more radio-responsive than males, (3) Panther analysis revealed an association with immunological processes and WNT pathway for both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthäus Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Zoya Gluzman-Poltorak
- Neumedicines Inc, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
- Applied Stem Cell Therapeutics, Milpitas, CA, United States of America
| | - Vladimir Vainstein
- Neumedicines Inc, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
- Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lena Basile
- Neumedicines Inc, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
| | - Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Haimerl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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24
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Amundson SA. Transcriptomics for radiation biodosimetry: progress and challenges. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 99:925-933. [PMID: 33970766 PMCID: PMC10026363 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1928784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transcriptomic-based approaches are being developed to meet the needs for large-scale radiation dose and injury assessment and provide population triage following a radiological or nuclear event. This review provides background and definition of the need for new biodosimetry approaches, and summarizes the major advances in this field. It discusses some of the major model systems used in gene signature development, and highlights some of the remaining challenges, including individual variation in gene expression, potential confounding factors, and accounting for the complexity of realistic exposure scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Transcriptomic approaches show great promise for both dose reconstruction and for prediction of individual radiological injury. However, further work will be needed to ensure that gene expression signatures will be robust and appropriate for their intended use in radiological or nuclear emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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25
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Ostheim P, Coker O, Schüle S, Hermann C, Combs SE, Trott KR, Atkinson M, Port M, Abend M. Identifying a Diagnostic Window for the Use of Gene Expression Profiling to Predict Acute Radiation Syndrome. Radiat Res 2021; 195:38-46. [PMID: 33181834 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00126.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In the event of a mass casualty radiological or nuclear scenario, it is important to distinguish between the unexposed (worried well), low-dose exposed individuals and those developing the hematological acute radiation syndrome (HARS) within the first three days postirradiation. In previous baboon studies, we identified altered gene expression changes after irradiation, which were predictive for the later developing HARS severity. Similar changes in the expression of four of these genes were observed using an in vitro human whole blood model. However, these studies have provided only limited information on the time frame of the changes after exposure in relationship to the development of HARS. In this study we analyzed the time-dependent changes in mRNA expression after in vitro irradiation of whole blood. Changes in the expression of informative mRNAs (FDXR, DBB2, POU2AF1 and WNT3) were determined in the blood of eight healthy donors (6 males, 2 females) after irradiation at 0 (control), 0.5, 2 and 4 Gy using qRT-PCR. FDXR expression was significantly upregulated (P < 0.001) 4 h after ≥0.5 Gy irradiation, with an 18-40-fold peak attained 4-12 h postirradiation which remained elevated (4-9-fold) at 72 h. DDB2 expression was upregulated after 4 h (fold change, 5-8, P < 0.001 at ≥ 0.5 Gy) and remained upregulated (3-4-fold) until 72 h (P < 0.001). The earliest time points showing a significant downregulation of POU2AF1 and WNT3 were 4 h (fold change = 0.4, P = 0.001, at 4 Gy) and 8 h (fold change = 0.3-0.5, P < 0.001, 2-4 Gy), respectively. These results indicate that the diagnostic window for detecting HARS-predictive changes in gene expression may be opened as early as 2 h for most (75%) and at 4 h postirradiation for all individuals examined. Depending on the RNA species studied this may continue for at least three days postirradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Omoleye Coker
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelius Hermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephanie E Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleissheim, Germany.,Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus-Rüdiger Trott
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mike Atkinson
- Institute of Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
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Port M, Haupt J, Ostheim P, Majewski M, Combs SE, Atkinson M, Abend M. Software Tools for the Evaluation of Clinical Signs and Symptoms in the Medical Management of Acute Radiation Syndrome-A Five-year Experience. HEALTH PHYSICS 2021; 120:400-409. [PMID: 33315652 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A suite of software tools has been developed for dose estimation (BAT, WinFRAT) and prediction of acute health effects (WinFRAT, H-Module) using clinical symptoms and/or changes in blood cell counts. We constructed a database of 191 ARS cases using the METREPOL (n = 167) and the SEARCH-database (n = 24). The cases ranged from unexposed (RC0), to mild (RC1), moderate (RC2), severe (RC3), and lethal ARS (RC4). From 2015-2019, radiobiology students and participants of two NATO meetings predicted clinical outcomes (RC, H-ARS, and hospitalization) based on clinical symptoms. We evaluated the prediction outcomes using the same input datasets with a total of 32 teams and 94 participants. We found that: (1) unexposed (RC0) and mildly exposed individuals (RC1) could not be discriminated; (2) the severity of RC2 and RC3 were systematically overestimated, but almost all lethal cases (RC4) were correctly predicted; (3) introducing a prior education component for non-physicians significantly increased the correct predictions of RC, ARS, and hospitalization by around 10% (p<0.005) with a threefold reduction in variance and a halving of the evaluation time per case; (4) correct outcome prediction was independent of the software tools used; and (5) comparing the dose estimates generated by the teams with H-ARS severity reflected known limitations of dose alone as a surrogate for H-ARS severity. We found inexperienced personnel can use software tools to make accurate diagnostic and treatment recommendations with up to 98% accuracy. Educational training improved the quality of decision making and enabled participants lacking a medical background to perform comparably to experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian Haupt
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Mike Atkinson
- Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Institute of Radiation Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
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Li Y, Singh J, Varghese R, Zhang Y, Fatanmi OO, Cheema AK, Singh VK. Transcriptome of rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) exposed to total-body irradiation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6295. [PMID: 33737626 PMCID: PMC7973550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85669-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of biodosimetry has seen a paradigm shift towards an increased use of molecular phenotyping technologies including omics and miRNA, in addition to conventional cytogenetic techniques. Here, we have used a nonhuman primate (NHP) model to study the impact of gamma-irradiation on alterations in blood-based gene expression. With a goal to delineate radiation induced changes in gene expression, we followed eight NHPs for 60 days after exposure to 6.5 Gy gamma-radiation for survival outcomes. Analysis of differential gene expression in response to radiation exposure yielded 26,944 dysregulated genes that were not significantly impacted by sex. Further analysis showed an increased association of several pathways including IL-3 signaling, ephrin receptor signaling, ErbB signaling, nitric oxide signaling in the cardiovascular system, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and inflammasome pathway, which were associated with positive survival outcomes in NHPs after acute exposure to radiation. This study provides novel insights into major pathways and networks involved in radiation-induced injuries that may identify biomarkers for radiation injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxiang Li
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine "America's Medical School", Uniformed Serices University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rency Varghese
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yubo Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Oluseyi O Fatanmi
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine "America's Medical School", Uniformed Serices University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amrita K Cheema
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vijay K Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine "America's Medical School", Uniformed Serices University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, USA. .,Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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28
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Ostheim P, Don Mallawaratchy A, Müller T, Schüle S, Hermann C, Popp T, Eder S, Combs SE, Port M, Abend M. Acute radiation syndrome-related gene expression in irradiated peripheral blood cell populations. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:474-484. [PMID: 33476246 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1876953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic tool is needed to distinguish the worried well from those individuals who may later develop life-threatenFing hematologic acute radiation syndrome. We examined the contribution of the peripheral blood's cell populations on radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS EDTA-whole-blood from six healthy donors was X-irradiated with 0 and 4Gy and T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, NK-cells and granulocytes were separated using immunomagnetic methods. GE were examined in cell populations and whole blood. RESULTS The cell populations contributed to the total RNA amount with a ratio of 11.6 for T-lymphocytes, 1.2 for B-cells, 1.2 for NK-cells, 1.0 for granulocytes. To estimate the contribution of GE per cell population, the baseline (0Gy) and the radiation-induced fold-change in GE relative to unexposed was considered for each gene. The T-lymphocytes (74.8%/80.5%) contributed predominantly to the radiation-induced up-regulation observed for FDXR/DDB2 and the B-lymphocytes (97.1%/83.8%) for down-regulated POU2AF1/WNT3 with a similar effect on whole blood gene expression measurements reflecting a corresponding order of magnitude. CONCLUSIONS T- and B-lymphocytes contributed predominantly to the radiation-induced up-regulation of FDXR/DDB2 and down-regulation of POU2AF1/WNT3. This study underlines the use of FDXR/DDB2 for biodosimetry purposes and POU2AF1/WNT3 for effect prediction of acute health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Müller
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelius Hermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Popp
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Eder
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephanie E Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- Institute of Radiation Medicine (IRM), Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU), Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Munich, Germany
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29
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Ostheim P, Haupt J, Schüle S, Herodin F, Valente M, Drouet M, Majewski M, Port M, Abend M. Differentiating Total- or Partial-Body Irradiation in Baboons Using mRNA Expression Patterns: A Proof of Concept. Radiat Res 2020; 194:476-484. [DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00121.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - J. Haupt
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S. Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - F. Herodin
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Valente
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Drouet
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M. Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M. Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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30
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Overcoming challenges in human saliva gene expression measurements. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11147. [PMID: 32636420 PMCID: PMC7341869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67825-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Saliva, as a non-invasive and easily accessible biofluid, has been shown to contain RNA biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of several diseases. However, systematic analysis done by our group identified two problematic issues not coherently described before: (1) most of the isolated RNA originates from the oral microbiome and (2) the amount of isolated human RNA is comparatively low. The degree of bacterial contamination showed ratios up to 1:900,000, so that only about one out of 900,000 RNA copies was of human origin, but the RNA quality (average RIN 6.7 + /− 0.8) allowed for qRT-PCR. Using 12 saliva samples from healthy donors, we modified the methodology to (1) select only human RNA during cDNA synthesis by aiming at the poly(A)+-tail and (2) introduced a pre-amplification of human RNA before qRT-PCR. Further, the manufacturer’s criteria for successful pre-amplification (Ct values ≤ 35 for unamplified cDNA) had to be replaced by (3) proofing linear pre-amplification for each gene, thus, increasing the number of evaluable samples up to 70.6%. When considering theses three modifications unbiased gene expression analysis on human salivary RNA can be performed.
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31
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Port M, Majewski M, Abend M. RADIATION DOSE IS OF LIMITED CLINICAL USEFULNESS IN PERSONS WITH ACUTE RADIATION SYNDROME. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 186:126-129. [PMID: 31330030 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncz058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The relation of radiation exposure (dose) with acute radiation syndrome (ARS) depends on many factors. In this overview, we reconsider (1) radiation exposure characteristics (e.g. radiation quality, fractionation, dose rate, partial/total body irradiation) and (2) biological processes (e.g. radiosensitivity, cell cycle dependency, oxygenation) affecting acute health effects after exposure. Furthermore we include evidence from recently published work that examined the relationship of absorbed dose and risk of clinically relevant ARS in persons exposed after a radiation accident. We introduce the concept of radiation-related bioindicators for effect prediction. Bioindicators are considered here to be factors that integrate multiple radiation exposure characteristics and cell- and molecular-based processes to improve clinical prediction in persons with ARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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32
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Palumbo E, Piotto C, Calura E, Fasanaro E, Groff E, Busato F, El Khouzai B, Rigo M, Baggio L, Romualdi C, Zafiropoulos D, Russo A, Mognato M, Corti L. Individual Radiosensitivity in Oncological Patients: Linking Adverse Normal Tissue Reactions and Genetic Features. Front Oncol 2019; 9:987. [PMID: 31632918 PMCID: PMC6779824 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adverse effects of radiotherapy (RT) significantly affect patient's quality of life (QOL). The possibility to identify patient-related factors that are associated with individual radiosensitivity would optimize adjuvant RT treatment, limiting the severity of normal tissue reactions, and improving patient's QOL. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between genetic features and toxicity grading manifested by RT patients looking for possible biomarkers of individual radiosensitivity. Methods: Early radiation toxicity was evaluated on 143 oncological patients according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). An individual radiosensitivity (IRS) index defining four classes of radiosensitivity (highly radiosensitive, radiosensitive, normal, and radioresistant) was determined by a G2-chromosomal assay on ex vivo irradiated, patient-derived blood samples. The expression level of 15 radioresponsive genes has been measured by quantitative real-time PCR at 24 h after the first RT fraction, in blood samples of a subset of 57 patients, representing the four IRS classes. Results: By applying univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, we found that fatigue was significantly associated with IRS index. Interestingly, associations were detected between clinical radiation toxicity and gene expression (ATM, CDKN1A, FDXR, SESN1, XPC, ZMAT3, and BCL2/BAX ratio) and between IRS index and gene expression (BBC3, FDXR, GADD45A, and BCL2/BAX). Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study we found that associations exist between normal tissue reactions and genetic features in RT-treated patients. Overall, our findings can contribute to the identification of biological markers to predict RT toxicity in normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Palumbo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Celeste Piotto
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrica Calura
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Fasanaro
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Groff
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Fabio Busato
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Badr El Khouzai
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Rigo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Baggio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Demetre Zafiropoulos
- National Laboratories of Legnaro, Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Corti
- Department of Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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33
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Ostheim P, Haupt J, Herodin F, Valente M, Drouet M, Majewski M, Port M, Abend M. miRNA Expression Patterns Differ by Total- or Partial-Body Radiation Exposure in Baboons. Radiat Res 2019; 192:579-588. [DOI: 10.1667/rr15450.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - J. Haupt
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - F. Herodin
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Valente
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Drouet
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M. Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M. Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M. Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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34
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Li S, Lu X, Feng JB, Tian M, Wang J, Chen H, Chen DQ, Liu QJ. Developing Gender-Specific Gene Expression Biodosimetry Using a Panel of Radiation-Responsive Genes for Determining Radiation Dose in Human Peripheral Blood. Radiat Res 2019; 192:399-409. [DOI: 10.1667/rr15355.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Xue Lu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Jiang-Bin Feng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Mei Tian
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, 307 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Hu Chen
- Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, 307 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - De-Qing Chen
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Qing-Jie Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
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35
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Port M, Ostheim P, Majewski M, Voss T, Haupt J, Lamkowski A, Abend M. Rapid High-Throughput Diagnostic Triage after a Mass Radiation Exposure Event Using Early Gene Expression Changes. Radiat Res 2019; 192:208-218. [PMID: 31211643 DOI: 10.1667/rr15360.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Radiological exposure scenarios involving large numbers of people require a rapid and high-throughput method to identify the unexposed, and those exposed to low- and high-dose radiation. Those with high-dose exposure, e.g., >2 Gy and depending on host characteristics, may develop severe hematological acute radiation syndrome (HARS), requiring hospitalization and treatment. Previously, we identified a set of genes that discriminated these clinically relevant groups. In the current work, we examined the utility of gene expression changes to classify 1,000 split blood samples into HARS severity scores of H0, H1 and H2-4, with the latter indicating likely hospitalization. In several previous radiation dose experiments, we determined that these HARS categories corresponded, respectively, to doses of 0 Gy (unexposed), 0.5 Gy and 5 Gy. The main purpose of this work was to assess the rapidity of blood sample processing using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Peripheral blood samples from two healthy donors were X-ray irradiated in vitro and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. A total of 1,000 samples were evaluated by laboratory personnel blinded to the radiation dose. Changes in gene expression of FDXR, DDB2, POU2AF1 and WNT3 were examined with qRT-PCR as positive controls. Targeted NGS (TREX) was used on all samples for the same four genes. Agreement using both methods was almost 78%. Using NGS, all 1,000 samples were processed within 30 h. Classification of the HARS severity categories corresponding to radiation dose had an overall agreement ranging between 90-97%. Depending on the end point, either a combination of all genes or FDXR alone (H0 HARS or unexposed) provided the best classification. Using this optimized automated methodology, we assessed 100× more samples approximately three times faster compared to standard cytogenetic studies. We showed that a small set of genes, rather than a complex constellation of genes, provided robust positive (97%) and negative (97%) predictive values for HARS categories and radiation doses of 0, 0.5 and 5 Gy. The findings of this study support the potential utility of early radiation-induced gene expression changes for high-throughput biodosimetry and rapid identification of irradiated persons in need of hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Port
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Julian Haupt
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Lamkowski
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany.,c Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, AllergieZENTRUM, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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36
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Nie YH, Liu XD, Huang R, Xie DF, Yin WJ, Guan H, Yu ZJ, Zhou PK. Analysis of mRNA Expression Patterns in Peripheral Blood Cells of 3 Patients With Cancer After the First Fraction of 2 Gy Irradiation: An Integrated Case Report and Systematic Review. Dose Response 2019; 17:1559325819833474. [PMID: 30833875 PMCID: PMC6393837 DOI: 10.1177/1559325819833474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Radiation therapy induces acute and chronic radiological toxicity, in particular hematological toxicity (HT). This study aimed to explore the mechanistic clue and potential predictors at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level. Materials and Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 3 patients with cervical cancer (CC), nasopharynx cancer (NC), and tongue cancer (TC) after the first 2 Gy fraction of radiotherapy (RT). High-throughput sequencing was used to assess mRNA profiles. Results Eleven genes, such as ALAS2(5-aminolevulinate synthase), SLC4A1(solute carrier family 4 member 1), HBG2(hemoglobin subunit gamma 2), TNFAIP3 (TNF α-induced protein 3), PER1 (period circadian clock 1), CCDC136 (coiled-coil domain containing 136), C9orf84 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 84), IL1B (interleukin 1β), FOSB (FosB protooncogene), NR4A2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 4), PARP15 (polymerase family member 15), had overlapping expression changes in all 3 cancers of which 3 (ALAS2, FOSB, and HBG2) are suggested as potential predictors for the early diagnosis of HT after RT. Conclusions ALAS2, FOSB, and HBG2 may be useful predictors of HT in patients after RT. Eleven overlapping expression mRNAs among 3 cancers might be potential predictors for early diagnosis of radiation toxicity in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Hua Nie
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Liu
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixue Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Da-Fei Xie
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Jun Yin
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Jian Yu
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ping-Kun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China.,Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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37
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Pinzur L, Akyuez L, Levdansky L, Blumenfeld M, Volinsky E, Aberman Z, Reinke P, Ofir R, Volk HD, Gorodetsky R. Rescue from lethal acute radiation syndrome (ARS) with severe weight loss by secretome of intramuscularly injected human placental stromal cells. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2018; 9:1079-1092. [PMID: 30334381 PMCID: PMC6240751 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most current cell-based regenerative therapies are based on the indirect induction of the affected tissues repair. Xenogeneic cell-based treatment with expanded human placenta stromal cells, predominantly from fetal origin (PLX-RAD cells), were shown to mitigate significantly acute radiation syndrome (ARS) following high dose irradiation in mice, with expedited regain of weight loss and haematopoietic function. The current mechanistic study explores the indirect effect of the secretome of PLX-RAD cells in the rescue of the irradiated mice. METHODS The mitigation of the ARS was investigated following two intramuscularly (IM) injected 2 × 106 PLX-RAD cells, 1 and 5 days following 7.7 Gy irradiation. The mice survival rate and their blood or bone marrow (BM) cell counts were followed up and correlated with multiplex immunoassay of a panel of related human proteins of PLX-RAD derived secretome, as well as endogenous secretion of related mouse proteins. PLX-RAD secretome was also tested in vitro for its effect on the induction of the migration of BM progenitors. RESULTS A 7.7 Gy whole body mice irradiation resulted in ~25% survival by 21 days. Treatment with two IM injections of 2 × 106 PLX-RAD cells on days 1 and 5 after irradiation mitigated highly significantly the subsequent lethal ARS, with survival rate increase to nearly 100% and fast regain of the initial weight loss (P < 0,0001). This was associated with a significant faster haematopoiesis recovery from day 9 onwards (P < 0.01). Nine out of the 65 human proteins tested were highly significantly elevated in the mouse circulation, peaking on days 6-9 after irradiation, relative to negligible levels in non-irradiated PLX-RAD injected mice (P < 0.01). The highly elevated proteins included human G-CSF, GRO, MCP-1, IL-6 and lL-8, reaching >500 pg/mL, while MCP-3, ENA, Eotaxin and fractalkine levels ranged between ~60-160pg/mL. The detected radiation-induced PLX-RAD secretome correlated well with the timing of the fast haematopoiesis regeneration. The radiation-induced PLX-RAD secretome seemed to reinforce the delayed high levels secretion of related mouse endogenous cytokines, including GCSF, KC, MCP-1 and IL-6. Additional supportive in vitro studies also confirmed the ability of cultured PLX-RAD secretome to induce accelerated migration of BM progenitors. CONCLUSIONS A well-regulated and orchestrated secretion of major pro-regenerative BM supporting secretome in high dose irradiated mice, treated with xenogeneic IM injected PLX-RAD cells, can explain the observed mitigation of ARS. This seemed to coincide with faster haematopoiesis regeneration, regain of severe weight loss and the increased survival rate. The ARS-related stress signals activating the IM injected PLX-RAD cells for the remote secretion of the relevant human proteins deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Pinzur
- Pluristem LTD, Haifa, Israel.,Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Institute of Medical Immunology and Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Levent Akyuez
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Institute of Medical Immunology and Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lilia Levdansky
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Radiobiology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Evgenia Volinsky
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Radiobiology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Institute of Medical Immunology and Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Institute of Medical Immunology and Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raphael Gorodetsky
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Radiobiology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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38
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Blakely WF, Bolduc DL, Debad J, Sigal G, Port M, Abend M, Valente M, Drouet M, Hérodin F. Use of Proteomic and Hematology Biomarkers for Prediction of Hematopoietic Acute Radiation Syndrome Severity in Baboon Radiation Models. HEALTH PHYSICS 2018; 115:29-36. [PMID: 29787428 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Use of plasma proteomic and hematological biomarkers represents a promising approach to provide useful diagnostic information for assessment of the severity of hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome. Eighteen baboons were evaluated in a radiation model that underwent total-body and partial-body irradiations at doses of Co gamma rays from 2.5 to 15 Gy at dose rates of 6.25 cGy min and 32 cGy min. Hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome severity levels determined by an analysis of blood count changes measured up to 60 d after irradiation were used to gauge overall hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome severity classifications. A panel of protein biomarkers was measured on plasma samples collected at 0 to 28 d after exposure using electrochemiluminescence-detection technology. The database was split into two distinct groups (i.e., "calibration," n = 11; "validation," n = 7). The calibration database was used in an initial stepwise regression multivariate model-fitting approach followed by down selection of biomarkers for identification of subpanels of hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome-responsive biomarkers for three time windows (i.e., 0-2 d, 2-7 d, 7-28 d). Model 1 (0-2 d) includes log C-reactive protein (p < 0.0001), log interleukin-13 (p < 0.0054), and procalcitonin (p < 0.0316) biomarkers; model 2 (2-7 d) includes log CD27 (p < 0.0001), log FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (p < 0.0001), log serum amyloid A (p < 0.0007), and log interleukin-6 (p < 0.0002); and model 3 (7-28 d) includes log CD27 (p < 0.0012), log serum amyloid A (p < 0.0002), log erythropoietin (p < 0.0001), and log CD177 (p < 0.0001). The predicted risk of radiation injury categorization values, representing the hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome severity outcome for the three models, produced least squares multiple regression fit confidences of R = 0.73, 0.82, and 0.75, respectively. The resultant algorithms support the proof of concept that plasma proteomic biomarkers can supplement clinical signs and symptoms to assess hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome risk severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Blakely
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4555 South Palmer Road, Bldg. 42, Bethesda, MD 20889-5648
| | - David L Bolduc
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4555 South Palmer Road, Bldg. 42, Bethesda, MD 20889-5648
| | - Jeff Debad
- Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC, 1601 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850
| | - George Sigal
- Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC, 1601 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Valente
- Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements Département, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Michel Drouet
- Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements Département, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Francis Hérodin
- Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements Département, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
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Majewski M, Nestler T, Kägler S, Richardsen I, Ruf CG, Matthies C, Willms A, Schmelz HU, Wagner W, Schwab R, Abend M. Liquid Biopsy Using Whole Blood from Testis Tumor and Colon Cancer Patients-A New and Simple Way? HEALTH PHYSICS 2018; 115:114-120. [PMID: 29787437 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells shed exosomes, which are released to the blood. Detecting tumor-derived exosomes containing RNA in plasma (liquid biopsy) is currently being investigated for early identification of occult metastases or relapses. Isolation of exosomes is laborious, resulting in low RNA yields. As a more robust (but less sensitive) alternative, the authors examined whether whole blood can be used as well. Tumor samples from nonmetastasized seminoma (n = 5) and colon cancer patients (n = 6) were taken during surgery. Whole-blood samples were taken before and 5-7 d after surgery. A whole genome mRNA microarray screening was performed. Candidate genes were selected based on two criteria: (1) gene expression in the presurgical whole-blood sample/tumor biopsy; and (2) a two-fold decrease in the copy number of candidate genes was expected in the postsurgical whole-blood sample 5-7 d after intervention, relative to the presurgical blood sample. The rationale behind this is the loss of tumor material in the body and the decline in the release of tumor-derived RNA in exosomes. For both tumor entities and for each patient, several hundred candidate genes could be identified. In a group-wise comparison, 20 candidate genes could be identified in the seminoma and 32 in the colon cancer group. These findings indicate that whole blood might be suitable for a liquid biopsy. However, this study identified the short period after surgery (5-7 d) as a possible confounder. The authors plan to add an additional time point several weeks after the operation to discriminate tumor candidate genes from genes induced by the surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthäus Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - Tim Nestler
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kägler
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Lesserstraße 180, 22049 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ines Richardsen
- Department of General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Christian G Ruf
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Cord Matthies
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Lesserstraße 180, 22049 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arnulf Willms
- Department of General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Schmelz
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Walter Wagner
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Lesserstraße 180, 22049 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Schwab
- Department of General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Str. 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80804, Munich, Germany
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40
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Agbenyegah S, Abend M, Atkinson MJ, Combs SE, Trott KR, Port M, Majewski M. Impact of Inter-Individual Variance in the Expression of a Radiation-Responsive Gene Panel Used for Triage. Radiat Res 2018; 190:226-235. [PMID: 29923790 DOI: 10.1667/rr15013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies we determined a gene expression signature in baboons for predicting the severity of hematological acute radiation syndrome. We subsequently validated a set of eight of these genes in leukemia patients undergoing total-body irradiation. In the current study, we addressed the effect of intra-individual variability on the basal level of expression of those eight radiation-responsive genes identified previously, by examining baseline levels in 200 unexposed healthy human donors (122 males and 88 females with an average age of 46 years) using real-time PCR. In addition to the eight candidate genes ( DAGLA, WNT3, CD177, PLA2G16, WLS, POU2AF1, STAT4 and PRF1), we examined two more genes ( FDXR and DDB2) widely used in ex vivo whole blood experiments. Although significant sex- (seven genes) and age-dependent (two genes) differences in expression were found, the fold changes ranged only between 1.1-1.6. These were well within the twofold differences in gene expression generally considered to represent control values. Age and sex contributed less than 20-30% to the complete inter-individual variance, which is calculated as the fold change between the lowest (reference) and the highest Ct value minimum-maximum fold change (min-max FC). Min-max FCs ranging between 10-17 were observed for most genes; however, for three genes, min-max FCs of complete inter-individual variance were found to be 37.1 ( WNT3), 51.4 ( WLS) and 1,627.8 ( CD177). In addition, to determine whether discrimination between healthy and diseased baboons might be altered by replacing the published gene expression data of the 18 healthy baboons with that of the 200 healthy humans, we employed logistic regression analysis and calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The additional inter-individual variance of the human data set had either no impact or marginal impact on the ROC area, since up to 32-fold change gene expression differences between healthy and diseased baboons were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Agbenyegah
- a Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- b Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M J Atkinson
- c Institute of Radiation Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - S E Combs
- a Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,d Institute of Innovative Radiotherapy, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - K R Trott
- a Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Port
- b Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Majewski
- b Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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41
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Port M, Majewski M, Herodin F, Valente M, Drouet M, Forcheron F, Tichy A, Sirak I, Zavrelova A, Malkova A, Becker BV, Veit DA, Waldeck S, Badie C, O'Brien G, Christiansen H, Wichmann J, Eder M, Beutel G, Vachelova J, Doucha-Senf S, Abend M. Validating Baboon Ex Vivo and In Vivo Radiation-Related Gene Expression with Corresponding Human Data. Radiat Res 2018; 189:389-398. [PMID: 29373091 DOI: 10.1667/rr14958.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The research for high-throughput diagnostic tests for victims of radio/nuclear incidents remains ongoing. In this context, we have previously identified candidate genes that predict risk of late-occurring hematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) in a baboon model. The goal of the current study was to validate these genes after radiation exposure in humans. We also examined ex vivo relative to in vivo measurements in both species and describe dose-response relationships. Eighteen baboons were irradiated in vivo to simulate different patterns of partial- or total-body irradiation (TBI), corresponding to an equivalent dose of 2.5 or 5 Sv. Human in vivo blood samples were obtained from patients exposed to different dose ranges: diagnostic computerized tomography (CT; 0.004-0.018 Sv); radiotherapy for prostate cancer (0.25-0.3 Sv); and TBI of leukemia patients (2 × 1.5 or 2 × 2 Sv, five patients each). Peripheral whole blood of another five baboons and human samples from five healthy donors were cultivated ex vivo and irradiated with 0-4 Sv. RNA was isolated pairwise before and 24 h after irradiation and converted into cDNA. Gene expression of six promising candidate genes found previously by us in a baboon model ( WNT3, POU2AF1, CCR7, ARG2, CD177, WLS), as well as three genes commonly used in ex vivo whole blood experiments ( FDXR, PCNA, DDB2) was measured using qRT-PCR. We confirmed the six baboon candidate genes in leukemia patients. However, expression for the candidate gene FDXR showed an inverse relationship, as it was downregulated in baboons and upregulated in human samples. Comparisons among the in vivo and ex vivo experiments revealed the same pattern in both species and indicated peripheral blood cells to represent the radiation-responsive targets causing WNT3 and POU2AF1 gene expression changes. CCR7, ARG2, CD177 and WLS appeared to be altered due to radiation-responsive targets other than the whole blood cells. Linear dose-response relationships of FDXR, WNT3 and POU2AF1 using human ex vivo samples corresponded with human in vivo samples, suggesting that ex vivo models for in vivo dose estimates can be used over a wide dose range (0.001-5 Sv for POU2AF1). In summary, we validated six baboon candidate genes in humans, but the FDXR measurements underscored the importance of independent assessments even when candidates from animal models have striking gene sequence homology to humans. Since whole blood cells represented the same radiation-responsive targets for FDXR, WNT3 and POU2AF1 gene expression changes, ex vivo cell culture models can be utilized for in vivo dose estimates over a dose range covering up to 3.5 log scales. These findings might be a step forward in the development of a gene expression-based high-throughput diagnostic test for populations involved in large-scale radio/nuclear incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Port
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Majewski
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - F Herodin
- b Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Valente
- b Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Drouet
- b Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - F Forcheron
- b Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - A Tichy
- c Departments of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Brno and Biomedical Research Centre
| | - I Sirak
- d Oncology and Radiotherapy, and 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - A Zavrelova
- d Oncology and Radiotherapy, and 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - A Malkova
- e Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - B V Becker
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - D A Veit
- f Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - S Waldeck
- f Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - C Badie
- g Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Group, Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, United Kingdom
| | - G O'Brien
- g Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Group, Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - M Eder
- i Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - G Beutel
- i Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Vachelova
- j Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Řež, Czech Republic
| | - S Doucha-Senf
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- a Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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Singh VK, Olabisi AO. Nonhuman primates as models for the discovery and development of radiation countermeasures. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:695-709. [PMID: 28441902 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1323863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite significant scientific advances over the past six decades toward the development of safe and effective radiation countermeasures for humans using animal models, only two pharmaceutical agents have been approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). Additional research efforts are needed to further develop large animal models for improving the prediction of clinical safety and effectiveness of radiation countermeasures for ARS and delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) in humans. Area covered: The authors review the suitability of animal models for the development of radiation countermeasures for ARS following the FDA Animal Rule with a special focus on nonhuman primate (NHP) models of ARS. There are seven centers in the United States currently conducting studies with irradiated NHPs, with the majority of studies being conducted with rhesus monkeys. Expert opinion: The NHP model is considered the gold standard animal model for drug development and approval by the FDA. The lack of suitable substitutes for NHP models for predicting response in humans serves as a bottleneck for the development of radiation countermeasures. Additional large animal models need to be characterized to support the development and FDA-approval of new radiation countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay K Singh
- a Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics , F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA.,b Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Ayodele O Olabisi
- b Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA
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Port M, Hérodin F, Valente M, Drouet M, Lamkowski A, Majewski M, Abend M. Gene expression signature for early prediction of late occurring pancytopenia in irradiated baboons. Ann Hematol 2017; 96:859-870. [PMID: 28236054 PMCID: PMC5371629 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-2952-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Based on gene expression changes measured in the peripheral blood within the first 2 days after irradiation, we predicted a pancytopenia in a baboon model. Eighteen baboons were irradiated with 2.5 or 5 Gy. According to changes in blood cell counts, the surviving baboons (n = 17) exhibited a hematological acute radiation syndrome (HARS) either with or without a pancytopenia. We used a two stage study design where stage I was a whole genome screen (microarrays) for mRNA combined with a qRT-PCR platform for simultaneous detection of 667 miRNAs using a part of the samples. Candidate mRNAs and miRNAs differentially upregulated or downregulated (>2-fold, p < 0.05) during the first 2 days after irradiation were chosen for validation in stage II using the remaining samples and using throughout more sensitive qRT-PCR. We detected about twice as many upregulated (mean 2128) than downregulated genes (mean 789) in baboons developing an HARS either with or without a pancytopenia. From 51 candidate mRNAs altogether, 11 mRNAs were validated using qRT-PCR. These mRNAs showed only significant differences between HARS groups and H0, but not between HARS groups with and without pancytopenia. Six miRNA species (e.g., miR-574-3p, p = 0.009, ROC = 0.94) revealed significant gene expression differences between HARS groups with and without pancytopenia and are known to sensitize irradiated cells. Hence, in particular, the newly identified miRNA species for prediction of pancytopenia will support the medical management decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Francis Hérodin
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Marco Valente
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Michel Drouet
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Andreas Lamkowski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthäus Majewski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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Pre-Exposure Gene Expression in Baboons with and without Pancytopenia after Radiation Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18030541. [PMID: 28257102 PMCID: PMC5372557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18030541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiosensitivity differs in humans and likely among primates. The reasons are not well known. We examined pre-exposure gene expression in baboons (n = 17) who developed haematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) without pancytopenia or a more aggravated HARS with pancytopenia after irradiation. We evaluated gene expression in a two stage study design where stage I comprised a whole genome screen for messenger RNAs (mRNA) (microarray) and detection of 667 microRNAs (miRNA) (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) platform). Twenty candidate mRNAs and nine miRNAs were selected for validation in stage II (qRT-PCR). None of the mRNA species could be confirmed during the validation step, but six of the nine selected candidate miRNA remained significantly different during validation. In particular, miR-425-5p (receiver operating characteristic = 0.98; p = 0.0003) showed nearly complete discrimination between HARS groups with and without pancytopenia. Target gene searches of miR-425-5p identified new potential mRNAs and associated biological processes linked with radiosensitivity. We found that one miRNA species examined in pre-exposure blood samples was associated with HARS characterized by pancytopenia and identified new target mRNAs that might reflect differences in radiosensitivity of irradiated normal tissue.
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Port M, Herodin F, Valente M, Drouet M, Ullmann R, Doucha-Senf S, Lamkowski A, Majewski M, Abend M. MicroRNA Expression for Early Prediction of Late Occurring Hematologic Acute Radiation Syndrome in Baboons. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165307. [PMID: 27846229 PMCID: PMC5113049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
For effective medical management of radiation-exposed persons after a radiological/nuclear event, blood-based screening measures in the first few days that could predict hematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) are needed. For HARS severity prediction, we used microRNA (miRNA) expression changes measured on days one and two after irradiation in a baboon model. Eighteen baboons underwent different patterns of partial or total body irradiation, corresponding to an equivalent dose of 2.5 or 5 Gy. According to changes in blood cell counts (BCC) the surviving baboons (n = 17) exhibited mild (H1-2, n = 4) or more severe (H2-3, n = 13) HARS. In a two Stage study design we screened 667 miRNAs using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) platform. In Stage II we validated candidates where miRNAs had to show a similar regulation (up- or down-regulated) and a significant 2-fold miRNA expression difference over H0. Seventy-two candidate miRNAs (42 for H1-2 and 30 for H2-3) were forwarded for validation. Forty-two of the H1-2 miRNA candidates from the screening phase entered the validation step and 20 of them showed a statistically significant 2–4 fold up-regulation relative to the unexposed reference (H0). Fifteen of the 30 H2-3 miRNAs were validated in Stage II. All miRNAs appeared 2–3 fold down-regulated over H0 and allowed an almost complete separation of HARS categories; the strongest candidate, miR-342-3p, showed a sustained and 10-fold down-regulation on both days 1 and 2. In summary, our data support the medical decision making of the HARS even within the first two days after exposure where diagnostic tools for early medical decision are required but so far missing. The miRNA species identified and in particular miR-342-3p add to the previously identified mRNAs and complete the portfolio of identified mRNA and miRNA transcripts for HARS prediction and medical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Francis Herodin
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Marco Valente
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Michel Drouet
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armees, Bretigny-sur-Orge, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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