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Al-khayyat W, Pirkkanen J, Dougherty J, Laframboise T, Dickinson N, Khaper N, Lees SJ, Mendonca MS, Boreham DR, Tai TC, Thome C, Tharmalingam S. Overexpression of FRA1 ( FOSL1) Leads to Global Transcriptional Perturbations, Reduced Cellular Adhesion and Altered Cell Cycle Progression. Cells 2023; 12:2344. [PMID: 37830558 PMCID: PMC10571788 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
FRA1 (FOSL1) is a transcription factor and a member of the activator protein-1 superfamily. FRA1 is expressed in most tissues at low levels, and its expression is robustly induced in response to extracellular signals, leading to downstream cellular processes. However, abnormal FRA1 overexpression has been reported in various pathological states, including tumor progression and inflammation. To date, the molecular effects of FRA1 overexpression are still not understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the transcriptional and functional effects of FRA1 overexpression using the CGL1 human hybrid cell line. FRA1-overexpressing CGL1 cells were generated using stably integrated CRISPR-mediated transcriptional activation, resulting in a 2-3 fold increase in FRA1 mRNA and protein levels. RNA-sequencing identified 298 differentially expressed genes with FRA1 overexpression. Gene ontology analysis showed numerous molecular networks enriched with FRA1 overexpression, including transcription-factor binding, regulation of the extracellular matrix and adhesion, and a variety of signaling processes, including protein kinase activity and chemokine signaling. In addition, cell functional assays demonstrated reduced cell adherence to fibronectin and collagen with FRA1 overexpression and altered cell cycle progression. Taken together, this study unravels the transcriptional response mediated by FRA1 overexpression and establishes the role of FRA1 in adhesion and cell cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuroud Al-khayyat
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Jake Pirkkanen
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Jessica Dougherty
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Noah Dickinson
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
| | - Neelam Khaper
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada; (N.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Simon J. Lees
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada; (N.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Marc S. Mendonca
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Douglas R. Boreham
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Tze Chun Tai
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (W.A.-k.); (N.D.); (D.R.B.); (T.C.T.); (C.T.)
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.P.); (J.D.); (T.L.)
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
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Pirkkanen J, Tharmalingam S, Thome C, Sinex HC, Benjamin LV, Losch AC, Borgmann AJ, Dhaemers RM, Gordon C, Boreham DR, Mendonca MS. Genomic Loss and Epigenetic Silencing of the FOSL1 Tumor Suppressor Gene in Radiation-induced Neoplastic Transformation of Human CGL1 Cells Alters the Tumorigenic Phenotype In Vitro and In Vivo. Radiat Res 2023; 200:48-64. [PMID: 37141110 PMCID: PMC10409446 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00216.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The CGL1 human hybrid cell system has been utilized for many decades as an excellent cellular tool for investigating neoplastic transformation. Substantial work has been done previously implicating genetic factors related to chromosome 11 to the alteration of tumorigenic phenotype in CGL1 cells. This includes candidate tumor suppressor gene FOSL1, a member of the AP-1 transcription factor complex which encodes for protein FRA1. Here we present novel evidence supporting the role of FOSL1 in the suppression of tumorigenicity in segregants of the CGL1 system. Gamma-induced mutant (GIM) and control (CON) cells were isolated from 7 Gy gamma-irradiated CGL1s. Western, Southern and Northern blot analysis were utilized to assess FOSL1/FRA1 expression as well as methylation studies. GIMs were transfected to re-express FRA1 and in vivo tumorigenicity studies were conducted. Global transcriptomic microarray and RT-qPCR analysis were used to further characterize these unique cell segregants. GIMs were found to be tumorigenic in vivo when injected into nude mice whereas CON cells were not. GIMs show loss of Fosl/FRA1 expression as confirmed by Western blot. Southern and Northern blot analysis further reveals that FRA1 reduction in tumorigenic CGL1 segregants is likely due to transcriptional suppression. Results suggest that radiation-induced neoplastic transformation of CGL1 is in part due to silencing of the FOSL1 tumor suppressor gene promoter by methylation. The radiation-induced tumorigenic GIMs transfected to re-express FRA1 resulted in suppression of subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice in vivo. Global microarray analysis and RT-qPCR validation elucidated several hundred differentially expressed genes. Downstream analysis reveals a significant number of altered pathways and enriched Gene Ontology terms genes related to cellular adhesion, proliferation, and migration. Together these findings provide strong evidence that FRA1 is a tumor suppressor gene deleted and epigenetically silenced after ionizing radiation-induced neoplastic transformation in the CGL1 human hybrid cell system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Pirkkanen
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Helen Chin Sinex
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Laura V. Benjamin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Adam C. Losch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Anthony J. Borgmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Ryan M. Dhaemers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Christopher Gordon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Douglas R. Boreham
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Bruce Power, PO Box 1540, 177 Tie Rd, R.R. 2, Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0, Canada
- Nuclear Innovation Institute, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - Marc S. Mendonca
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
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Pirkkanen J, Lalonde C, Lapointe M, Laframboise T, Mendonca MS, Boreham DR, Tharmalingam S, Thome C. The REPAIR Project, a Deep-Underground Radiobiology Experiment Investigating the Biological Effects of Natural Background Radiation: The First 6 Years. Radiat Res 2023; 199:290-293. [PMID: 36745561 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00193.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2017, a special edition of Radiation Research was published [Oct; Vol. 188 4.2 (https://bioone.org/journals/radiation-research/volume-188/issue-4.2)] which focused on a recently established radiobiology project within SNOLAB, a unique deep-underground research facility. This special edition included original articles, reviews and commentaries relevant to the research goals of this new project which was titled Researching the Effects of the Presence and Absence of Ionizing Radiation (REPAIR). These research goals were founded in understanding the biological effects of terrestrial and cosmic natural background radiation (NBR). Since 2017, REPAIR has evolved into a sub-NBR radiobiology research program which investigates these effects using multiple model systems and various biological endpoints. This paper summarizes the evolution of the REPAIR project over the first 6-years including its experimental scope and capabilities as well as research accomplishments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Pirkkanen
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Christine Lalonde
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Michel Lapointe
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Marc S Mendonca
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM University), Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Nuclear Innovation Institute, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM University), Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Nuclear Innovation Institute, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM University), Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.,Nuclear Innovation Institute, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
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4
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Identification of Radiation-Induced miRNA Biomarkers Using the CGL1 Cell Model System. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9050214. [PMID: 35621492 PMCID: PMC9137836 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9050214] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a potential class of biomolecules for diagnostic biomarker applications. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules, produced and released by cells in response to various stimuli, that demonstrate remarkable stability in a wide range of biological fluids, in extreme pH fluctuations, and after multiple freeze–thaw cycles. Given these advantages, identification of miRNA-based biomarkers for radiation exposures can contribute to the development of reliable biological dosimetry methods, especially for low-dose radiation (LDR) exposures. In this study, an miRNAome next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach was utilized to identify novel radiation-induced miRNA gene changes within the CGL1 human cell line. Here, irradiations of 10, 100, and 1000 mGy were performed and the samples were collected 1, 6, and 24 h post-irradiation. Corroboration of the miRNAome results with RT-qPCR verification confirmed the identification of numerous radiation-induced miRNA expression changes at all doses assessed. Further evaluation of select radiation-induced miRNAs, including miR-1228-3p and miR-758-5p, as well as their downstream mRNA targets, Ube2d2, Ppp2r2d, and Id2, demonstrated significantly dysregulated reciprocal expression patterns. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether the candidate miRNA biomarkers identified in this study can serve as suitable targets for radiation biodosimetry applications.
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Bennett PV, Johnson AM, Ackerman SE, Chaudhary P, Keszenman DJ, Wilson PF. Dose-Rate Effects of Protons and Light Ions for DNA Damage Induction, Survival and Transformation in Apparently Normal Primary Human Fibroblasts. Radiat Res 2021; 197:298-313. [PMID: 34910217 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00138.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We report on effects of low-dose exposures of accelerated protons delivered at high-dose rate (HDR) or a simulated solar-particle event (SPE) like low-dose rate (LDR) on immediate DNA damage induction and processing, survival and in vitro transformation of low passage NFF28 apparently normal primary human fibroblasts. Cultures were exposed to 50, 100 and 1,000 MeV monoenergetic protons in the Bragg entrance/plateau region and cesium-137 γ rays at 20 Gy/h (HDR) or 1 Gy/h (LDR). DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and clustered DNA damages (containing oxypurines and abasic sites) were measured using transverse alternating gel electrophoresis (TAFE) and immunocytochemical detection/scoring of colocalized γ-H2AX pS139/53BP1 foci, with their induction being linear energy transfer (LET) dependent and dose-rate sparing observed for the different damage classes. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values for cell survival after proton irradiation at both dose-rates ranged from 0.61-0.73. Transformation RBE values were dose-rate dependent, ranging from ∼1.8-3.1 and ∼0.6-1.0 at low doses (≤30 cGy) for HDR and LDR irradiations, respectively. However peak transformation frequencies were significantly higher (1.3-7.3-fold) for higher doses of 0.5-1 Gy delivered at SPE-like LDR. Cell survival and transformation frequencies measured after low-dose 500 MeV/n He-4, 290 MeV/n C-12 and 600 MeV/n Si-28 ion irradiations also showed an inverse dose-rate effect for transformation at SPE-like LDR. This work demonstrates the existence of inverse dose-rate effects for proton and light-ion-induced postirradiation cell survival and in vitro transformation for space mission-relevant doses and dose rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Bennett
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
| | - Alicia M Johnson
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
| | - Sarah E Ackerman
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
| | - Pankaj Chaudhary
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
| | | | - Paul F Wilson
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
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Johnson AM, Bennett PV, Sanidad KZ, Hoang A, Jardine JH, Keszenman DJ, Wilson PF. Evaluation of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Radiosensitizers for Proton and Light Ion Radiotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:735940. [PMID: 34513712 PMCID: PMC8426582 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.735940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant opportunities remain for pharmacologically enhancing the clinical effectiveness of proton and carbon ion-based radiotherapies to achieve both tumor cell radiosensitization and normal tissue radioprotection. We investigated whether pretreatment with the hydroxamate-based histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) SAHA (vorinostat), M344, and PTACH impacts radiation-induced DNA double-strand break (DSB) induction and repair, cell killing, and transformation (acquisition of anchorage-independent growth in soft agar) in human normal and tumor cell lines following gamma ray and light ion irradiation. Treatment of normal NFF28 primary fibroblasts and U2OS osteosarcoma, A549 lung carcinoma, and U87MG glioma cells with 5–10 µM HDACi concentrations 18 h prior to cesium-137 gamma irradiation resulted in radiosensitization measured by clonogenic survival assays and increased levels of colocalized gamma-H2AX/53BP1 foci induction. We similarly tested these HDACi following irradiation with 200 MeV protons, 290 MeV/n carbon ions, and 350 MeV/n oxygen ions delivered in the Bragg plateau region. Unlike uniform gamma ray radiosensitization, effects of HDACi pretreatment were unexpectedly cell type and ion species-dependent with C-12 and O-16 ion irradiations showing enhanced G0/G1-phase fibroblast survival (radioprotection) and in some cases reduced or absent tumor cell radiosensitization. DSB-associated foci levels were similar for proton-irradiated DMSO control and SAHA-treated fibroblast cultures, while lower levels of induced foci were observed in SAHA-pretreated C-12 ion-irradiated fibroblasts. Fibroblast transformation frequencies measured for all radiation types were generally LET-dependent and lowest following proton irradiation; however, both gamma and proton exposures showed hyperlinear transformation induction at low doses (≤25 cGy). HDACi pretreatments led to overall lower transformation frequencies at low doses for all radiation types except O-16 ions but generally led to higher transformation frequencies at higher doses (>50 cGy). The results of these in vitro studies cast doubt on the clinical efficacy of using HDACi as radiosensitizers for light ion-based hadron radiotherapy given the mixed results on their radiosensitization effectiveness and related possibility of increased second cancer induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Johnson
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Paula V Bennett
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Katherine Z Sanidad
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Anthony Hoang
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - James H Jardine
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Deborah J Keszenman
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States.,Laboratorio de Radiobiología Médica y Ambiental, Grupo de Biofisicoquímica, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Salto, Uruguay
| | - Paul F Wilson
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Pirkkanen J, Laframboise T, Liimatainen P, Sonley T, Stankiewicz S, Hood M, Obaid M, Zarnke A, Tai TC, Lees SJ, Boreham DR, Thome C. A novel specialized tissue culture incubator designed and engineered for radiobiology experiments in a sub-natural background radiation research environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 228:106512. [PMID: 33341751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive research has been conducted investigating the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems, including specific focus at low doses. However, at the surface of the planet, there is the ubiquitous presence of ionizing natural background radiation (NBR) from sources both terrestrial and cosmic. We are currently conducting radiobiological experiments examining the impacts of sub-NBR exposure within SNOLAB. SNOLAB is a deep underground research laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada located 2 km beneath the surface of the planet. At this depth, significant shielding of NBR components is provided by the rock overburden. Here, we describe a Specialized Tissue Culture Incubator (STCI) that was engineered to significantly reduce background ionizing radiation levels. The STCI was installed 2 km deep underground within SNOLAB. It was designed to allow precise control of experimental variables such as temperature, atmospheric gas composition and humidity. More importantly, the STCI was designed to reduce radiological contaminants present within the underground laboratory. Quantitative measurements validated the STCI is capable of maintaining an appropriate experimental environment for sub-NBR experiments. This included reduction of sub-surface radiological contaminants, most notably radon gas. The STCI presents a truly novel piece of infrastructure enabling future research into the effects of sub-NBR exposure in a highly unique laboratory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Pirkkanen
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Peter Liimatainen
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Tom Sonley
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Stephen Stankiewicz
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Mike Hood
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Mehwish Obaid
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Andrew Zarnke
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - T C Tai
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Simon J Lees
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada; Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Bruce Power, PO Box 1540, 177 Tie Road, Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0, Canada; Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada.
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Pirkkanen J, Tharmalingam S, Morais IH, Lam-Sidun D, Thome C, Zarnke AM, Benjamin LV, Losch AC, Borgmann AJ, Sinex HC, Mendonca MS, Boreham DR. Transcriptomic profiling of gamma ray induced mutants from the CGL1 human hybrid cell system reveals novel insights into the mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 145:300-311. [PMID: 31580949 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatic cell hybrid systems generated by combining cancerous with non-cancerous cells provide useful model systems to study neoplastic transformation. Combined with recent advances in omics-based technologies, novel molecular signatures that drive radiation-induced carcinogenesis can be analyzed at an exceptional global level. METHODS Here, we present a complete whole-transcriptome analysis of gamma-induced mutants (GIM) and gamma irradiated control (CON) segregants isolated from the CGL1 (HeLa x normal fibroblast) human hybrid cell-system exposed to high doses of radiation. Using the Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 microarray technology and conservative discrimination parameters, we have elucidated 1067 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells. RESULTS Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that tumorigenic cells demonstrated shifts in extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular adhesion profiles, dysregulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling, and alterations in nutrient transport and cellular energetics. Furthermore, putative upstream master regulator analysis demonstrated that loss of TGFβ1 signaling due to reduced SMAD3 expression is involved in radiation-induced carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, this study presents novel insights into specific gene expression and pathway level differences that contribute to radiation-induced carcinogenesis in a human cell-based model. This global transcriptomic analysis and our published tumor suppressor gene deletion loci analyses will allow us to identify and functionally test candidate nexus upstream tumor suppressor genes that are deleted or silenced after exposure to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Pirkkanen
- Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | | | - Igor H Morais
- Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Daniel Lam-Sidun
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Christopher Thome
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Andrew M Zarnke
- Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Laura V Benjamin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Adam C Losch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Anthony J Borgmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Helen Chin Sinex
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Marc S Mendonca
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Bruce Power, PO Box 1540, 177 Tie Rd, R.R. 2, Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0, Canada.
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9
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Morciano P, Cipressa F, Porrazzo A, Esposito G, Tabocchini MA, Cenci G. Fruit Flies Provide New Insights in Low-Radiation Background Biology at the INFN Underground Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS). Radiat Res 2018; 190:217-225. [PMID: 29863430 DOI: 10.1667/rr15083.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Deep underground laboratories (DULs) were originally created to host particle, astroparticle or nuclear physics experiments requiring a low-background environment with vastly reduced levels of cosmic-ray particle interference. More recently, the range of science projects requiring an underground experiment site has greatly expanded, thus leading to the recognition of DULs as truly multidisciplinary science sites that host important studies in several fields, including geology, geophysics, climate and environmental sciences, technology/instrumentation development and biology. So far, underground biology experiments are ongoing or planned in a few of the currently operating DULs. Among these DULs is the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), where the majority of radiobiological data have been collected. Here we provide a summary of the current scenario of DULs around the world, as well as the specific features of the LNGS and a summary of the results we obtained so far, together with other findings collected in different underground laboratories. In particular, we focus on the recent results from our studies of Drosophila melanogaster, which provide the first evidence of the influence of the radiation environment on life span, fertility and response to genotoxic stress at the organism level. Given the increasing interest in this field and the establishment of new projects, it is possible that in the near future more DULs will serve as sites of radiobiology experiments, thus providing further relevant biological information at extremely low-dose-rate radiation. Underground experiments can be nicely complemented with above-ground studies at increasing dose rate. A systematic study performed in different exposure scenarios provides a potential opportunity to address important radiation protection questions, such as the dose/dose-rate relationship for cancer and non-cancer risk, the possible existence of dose/dose-rate threshold(s) for different biological systems and/or end points and the possible role of radiation quality in triggering the biological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Morciano
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cipressa
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Porrazzo
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- b Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- b Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
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10
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Thome C, Tharmalingam S, Pirkkanen J, Zarnke A, Laframboise T, Boreham DR. The REPAIR Project: Examining the Biological Impacts of Sub-Background Radiation Exposure within SNOLAB, a Deep Underground Laboratory. Radiat Res 2017; 188:470-474. [PMID: 28723273 DOI: 10.1667/rr14654.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been given to understanding the biological effects of low-dose ionizing radiation exposure at levels slightly above background. However, relatively few studies have been performed to examine the inverse, where natural background radiation is removed. The limited available data suggest that organisms exposed to sub-background radiation environments undergo reduced growth and an impaired capacity to repair genetic damage. Shielding from background radiation is inherently difficult due to high-energy cosmic radiation. SNOLAB, located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a unique facility for examining the effects of sub-background radiation exposure. Originally constructed for astroparticle physics research, the laboratory is located within an active nickel mine at a depth of over 2,000 m. The rock overburden provides shielding equivalent to 6,000 m of water, thereby almost completely eliminating cosmic radiation. Additional features of the facility help to reduce radiological contamination from the surrounding rock. We are currently establishing a biological research program within SNOLAB: Researching the Effects of the Presence and Absence of Ionizing Radiation (REPAIR project). We hypothesize that natural background radiation is essential for life and maintains genomic stability, and that prolonged exposure to sub-background radiation environments will be detrimental to biological systems. Using a combination of whole organism and cell culture model systems, the effects of exposure to a sub-background environment will be examined on growth and development, as well as markers of genomic damage, DNA repair capacity and oxidative stress. The results of this research will provide further insight into the biological effects of low-dose radiation exposure as well as elucidate some of the processes that may drive evolution and selection in living systems. This Radiation Research focus issue contains reviews and original articles, which relate to the presence or absence of low-dose ionizing radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Thome
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Jake Pirkkanen
- b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Andrew Zarnke
- b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,c Bruce Power, Tiverton, Canada, N0G 2T0
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