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Blakely WF, Port M, Ostheim P, Abend M. Radiation Research Society Journal-based Historical Review of the Use of Biomarkers for Radiation Dose and Injury Assessment: Acute Health Effects Predictions. Radiat Res 2024; 202:185-204. [PMID: 38936821 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00121.1] [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: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A multiple-parameter based approach using radiation-induced clinical signs and symptoms, hematology changes, cytogenetic chromosomal aberrations, and molecular biomarkers changes after radiation exposure is used for biodosimetry-based dose assessment. In the current article, relevant milestones from Radiation Research are documented that forms the basis of the current consensus approach for diagnostics after radiation exposure. For example, in 1962 the use of cytogenetic chromosomal aberration using the lymphocyte metaphase spread dicentric assay for biodosimetry applications was first published in Radiation Research. This assay is now complimented using other cytogenetic chromosomal aberration assays (i.e., chromosomal translocations, cytokinesis-blocked micronuclei, premature chromosome condensation, γ-H2AX foci, etc.). Changes in blood cell counts represent an early-phase biomarker for radiation exposures. Molecular biomarker changes have evolved to include panels of organ-specific plasma proteomic and blood-based gene expression biomarkers for radiation dose assessment. Maturation of these assays are shown by efforts for automated processing and scoring, development of point-of-care diagnostics devices, service laboratories inter-comparison exercises, and applications for dose and injury assessments in radiation accidents. An alternative and complementary approach has been advocated with the focus to de-emphasize "dose" and instead focus on predicting acute or delayed health effects. The same biomarkers used for dose estimation (e.g., lymphocyte counts) can be used to directly predict the later developing severity degree of acute health effects without performing dose estimation as an additional or intermediate step. This review illustrates contributing steps toward these developments published in Radiation Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Blakely
- Scientific Research Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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2
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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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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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5
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Muhtadi R, Stewart S, Bunert F, Fatanmi OO, Wise SY, Gärtner C, Motzke S, Ruf C, Ostheim P, Schüle S, Schwanke D, Singh VK, Port M, Abend M. PUM1 and PGK1 are Favorable Housekeeping Genes over Established Biodosimetry-related Housekeeping Genes such as HPRT1, ITFG1, DPM1, MRPS5, 18S rRNA and Others after Radiation Exposure. Radiat Res 2024; 201:487-498. [PMID: 38471523 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00160.1] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
In gene expression (GE) studies, housekeeping genes (HKGs) are required for normalization purposes. In large-scale inter-laboratory comparison studies, significant differences in dose estimates are reported and divergent HKGs are employed by the teams. Among them, the 18S rRNA HKG is known for its robustness. However, the high abundance of 18S rRNA copy numbers requires dilution, which is time-consuming and a possible source of errors. This study was conducted to identify the most promising HKGs showing the least radiation-induced GE variance after radiation exposure. In the screening stage of this study, 35 HKGs were analyzed. This included selected HKGs (ITFG1, MRPS5, and DPM1) used in large-scale biodosimetry studies which were not covered on an additionally employed pre-designed 96-well platform comprising another 32 HKGs used for different exposures. Altogether 41 samples were examined, including 27 ex vivo X-ray irradiated blood samples (0, 0.5, 4 Gy), six X-irradiated samples (0, 0.5, 5 Gy) from two cell lines (U118, A549), as well as eight non-irradiated tissue samples to encompass multiple biological entities. In the independent validation stage, the most suitable candidate genes were examined from another 257 blood samples, taking advantage of already stored material originating from three studies. These comprise 100 blood samples from ex vivo X-ray irradiated (0-4 Gy) healthy donors, 68 blood samples from 5.8 Gy irradiated (cobalt-60) Rhesus macaques (RM) (LD29/60) collected 0-60 days postirradiation, and 89 blood samples from chemotherapy-(CTx) treated breast tumor patients. CTx and radiation-induced GE changes in previous studies appeared comparable. RNA was isolated, converted into cDNA, and GE was quantified employing TaqMan assays and quantitative RT-PCR. We calculated the standard deviation (SD) and the interquartile range (IQR) as measures of GE variance using raw cycle threshold (Ct) values and ranked the HKGs accordingly. Dose, time, age, and sex-dependent GE changes were examined employing the parametrical t-test and non-parametrical Kruskal Wallis test, as well as linear regression analysis. Generally, similar ranking results evolved using either SD or IQR GE measures of variance, indicating a tight distribution of GE values. PUM1 and PGK1 showed the lowest variance among the first ten most suitable genes in the screening phase. MRPL19 revealed low variance among the first ten most suitable genes in the screening phase only for blood and cells, but certain comparisons indicated a weak association of MRPL19 with dose (P = 0.02-0.09). In the validation phase, these results could be confirmed. Here, IQR Ct values from, e.g., X-irradiated blood samples were 0.6 raw Ct values for PUM1 and PGK1, which is considered to represent GE differences as expected due to methodological variance. Overall, when compared, the GE variance of both genes was either comparable or lower compared to 18S rRNA. Compared with the IQR GE values of PUM1 and PGKI, twofold-fivefold increased values were calculated for the biodosimetry HKG HPRT1, and comparable values were calculated for biodosimetry HKGs ITFG1, MRPS5, and DPM1. Significant dose-dependent associations were found for ITFG1 and MRPS5 (P = 0.001-0.07) and widely absent or weak (P = 0.02-0.07) for HPRT1 and DPM1. In summary, PUM1 and PGK1 appeared most promising for radiation exposure studies among the 35 HKGs examined, considering GE variance and adverse associations of GE with dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Muhtadi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - F Bunert
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - O 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, Maryland 20814
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - S 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, Maryland 20814
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - C Gärtner
- Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Jena, Germany
| | - S Motzke
- Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Jena, Germany
| | - C Ruf
- Department of Urology, Federal Armed Services Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - D Schwanke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - V 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, Maryland 20814
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - M Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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Kwak SY, Park JH, Won HY, Jang H, Lee SB, Jang WI, Park S, Kim MJ, Shim S. CXCL10 upregulation in radiation-exposed human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a candidate biomarker for rapid triage after radiation exposure. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:541-549. [PMID: 38227479 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2295300] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In case of a nuclear accident, individuals with high-dose radiation exposure (>1-2 Gy) should be rapidly identified. While ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) was recently suggested as a radiation-responsive gene, the use of a single gene biomarker limits radiation dose assessment. To overcome this limitation, we sought to identify reliable radiation-responsive gene biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from mice after total body irradiation, and gene expression was analyzed using a microarray approach to identify radiation-responsive genes. RESULTS In light of the essential role of the immune response following radiation exposure, we selected several immune-related candidate genes upregulated by radiation exposure in both mouse and human PBMCs. In particular, the expression of ACOD1 and CXCL10 increased in a radiation dose-dependent manner, while remaining unchanged following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in human PBMCs. The expression of both genes was further evaluated in the blood of cancer patients before and after radiotherapy. CXCL10 expression exhibited a distinct increase after radiotherapy and was positively correlated with FDXR expression. CONCLUSIONS CXCL10 expression in irradiated PBMCs represents a potential biomarker for radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Young Kwak
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Park
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
- OPTOLANE Technologies Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | | | - Hyosun Jang
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Bum Lee
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Il Jang
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Pathology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Jung Kim
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sehwan Shim
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Science, Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
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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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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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Port M, Barquinero JF, Endesfelder D, Moquet J, Oestreicher U, Terzoudi G, Trompier F, Vral A, Abe Y, Ainsbury L, Alkebsi L, Amundson S, Badie C, Baeyens A, Balajee A, Balázs K, Barnard S, Bassinet C, Beaton-Green L, Beinke C, Bobyk L, Brochard P, Brzoska K, Bucher M, Ciesielski B, Cuceu C, Discher M, D,Oca M, Domínguez I, Doucha-Senf S, Dumitrescu A, Duy P, Finot F, Garty G, Ghandhi S, Gregoire E, Goh V, Güçlü I, Hadjiiska L, Hargitai R, Hristova R, Ishii K, Kis E, Juniewicz M, Kriehuber R, Lacombe J, Lee Y, Lopez Riego M, Lumniczky K, Mai T, Maltar-Strmečki N, Marrale M, Martinez J, Marciniak A, Maznyk N, McKeever S, Meher P, Milanova M, Miura T, Gil OM, Montoro A, Domene MM, Mrozik A, Nakayama R, O’Brien G, Oskamp D, Ostheim P, Pajic J, Pastor N, Patrono C, Pujol-Canadell M, Rodriguez MP, Repin M, Romanyukha A, Rößler U, Sabatier L, Sakai A, Scherthan H, Schüle S, Seong K, Sevriukova O, Sholom S, Sommer S, Suto Y, Sypko T, Szatmári T, Takahashi-Sugai M, Takebayashi K, Testa A, Testard I, Tichy A, Triantopoulou S, Tsuyama N, Unverricht-Yeboah M, Valente M, Van Hoey O, Wilkins R, Wojcik A, Wojewodzka M, Younghyun L, Zafiropoulos D, Abend M. RENEB Inter-Laboratory Comparison 2021: Inter-Assay Comparison of Eight Dosimetry Assays. Radiat Res 2023; 199:535-555. [PMID: 37310880 PMCID: PMC10508307 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00207.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tools for radiation exposure reconstruction are required to support the medical management of radiation victims in radiological or nuclear incidents. Different biological and physical dosimetry assays can be used for various exposure scenarios to estimate the dose of ionizing radiation a person has absorbed. Regular validation of the techniques through inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC) is essential to guarantee high quality results. In the current RENEB inter-laboratory comparison, the performance quality of established cytogenetic assays [dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN), stable chromosomal translocation assay (FISH) and premature chromosome condensation assay (PCC)] was tested in comparison to molecular biological assays [gamma-H2AX foci (gH2AX), gene expression (GE)] and physical dosimetry-based assays [electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optically or thermally stimulated luminescence (LUM)]. Three blinded coded samples (e.g., blood, enamel or mobiles) were exposed to 0, 1.2 or 3.5 Gy X-ray reference doses (240 kVp, 1 Gy/min). These doses roughly correspond to clinically relevant groups of unexposed to low exposed (0-1 Gy), moderately exposed (1-2 Gy, no severe acute health effects expected) and highly exposed individuals (>2 Gy, requiring early intensive medical care). In the frame of the current RENEB inter-laboratory comparison, samples were sent to 86 specialized teams in 46 organizations from 27 nations for dose estimation and identification of three clinically relevant groups. The time for sending early crude reports and more precise reports was documented for each laboratory and assay where possible. The quality of dose estimates was analyzed with three different levels of granularity, 1. by calculating the frequency of correctly reported clinically relevant dose categories, 2. by determining the number of dose estimates within the uncertainty intervals recommended for triage dosimetry (±0.5 Gy or ±1.0 Gy for doses <2.5 Gy or >2.5 Gy), and 3. by calculating the absolute difference (AD) of estimated doses relative to the reference doses. In total, 554 dose estimates were submitted within the 6-week period given before the exercise was closed. For samples processed with the highest priority, earliest dose estimates/categories were reported within 5-10 h of receipt for GE, gH2AX, LUM, EPR, 2-3 days for DCA, CBMN and within 6-7 days for the FISH assay. For the unirradiated control sample, the categorization in the correct clinically relevant group (0-1 Gy) as well as the allocation to the triage uncertainty interval was, with the exception of a few outliers, successfully performed for all assays. For the 3.5 Gy sample the percentage of correct classifications to the clinically relevant group (≥2 Gy) was between 89-100% for all assays, with the exception of gH2AX. For the 1.2 Gy sample, an exact allocation to the clinically relevant group was more difficult and 0-50% or 0-48% of the estimates were wrongly classified into the lowest or highest dose categories, respectively. For the irradiated samples, the correct allocation to the triage uncertainty intervals varied considerably between assays for the 1.2 Gy (29-76%) and 3.5 Gy (17-100%) samples. While a systematic shift towards higher doses was observed for the cytogenetic-based assays, extreme outliers exceeding the reference doses 2-6 fold were observed for EPR, FISH and GE assays. These outliers were related to a particular material examined (tooth enamel for EPR assay, reported as kerma in enamel, but when converted into the proper quantity, i.e. to kerma in air, expected dose estimates could be recalculated in most cases), the level of experience of the teams (FISH) and methodological uncertainties (GE). This was the first RENEB ILC where everything, from blood sampling to irradiation and shipment of the samples, was organized and realized at the same institution, for several biological and physical retrospective dosimetry assays. Almost all assays appeared comparably applicable for the identification of unexposed and highly exposed individuals and the allocation of medical relevant groups, with the latter requiring medical support for the acute radiation scenario simulated in this exercise. However, extreme outliers or a systematic shift of dose estimates have been observed for some assays. Possible reasons will be discussed in the assay specific papers of this special issue. In summary, this ILC clearly demonstrates the need to conduct regular exercises to identify research needs, but also to identify technical problems and to optimize the design of future ILCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - J. Moquet
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - G. Terzoudi
- National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics Laboratory, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - F. Trompier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - A. Vral
- Ghent University, Radiobiology Research Unit, Gent, Belgium
| | - Y. Abe
- Department of Radiation Biology and Protection, Nagasaki University, Japan
| | - L. Ainsbury
- UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Cytogenetics and Pathology Group, Oxfordshire, England
| | - L Alkebsi
- Department of Radiation Measurement and Dose Assessment, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - S.A. Amundson
- Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - C. Badie
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - A. Baeyens
- Ghent University, Radiobiology Research Unit, Gent, Belgium
| | - A.S. Balajee
- Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - K. Balázs
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - S. Barnard
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - C. Bassinet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | | | - C. Beinke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - L. Bobyk
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Bretigny Sur Orge, France
| | | | - K. Brzoska
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M. Bucher
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - B. Ciesielski
- Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Physics and Biophysics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - C. Cuceu
- Genevolution, Porcheville, France
| | - M. Discher
- Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Environment and Biodiversity, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - M.C. D,Oca
- Università Degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica “Emilio Segrè,” Palermo, Italy
| | - I. Domínguez
- Universidad de Sevilla, Departamento de Biología Celular, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - A. Dumitrescu
- National Institute of Public Health, Radiation Hygiene Laboratory, Bucharest, Romania
| | - P.N. Duy
- Dalat Nuclear Research Institute, Radiation Technlogy & Biotechnology Center, Dalat City, Vietnam
| | - F. Finot
- Genevolution, Porcheville, France
| | - G. Garty
- Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - S.A. Ghandhi
- Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - E. Gregoire
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - V.S.T. Goh
- Department of Radiobiology, Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - I. Güçlü
- TENMAK, Nuclear Energy Research Institute, Technology Development and Nuclear Research Department, Türkey
| | - L. Hadjiiska
- National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - R. Hargitai
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - R. Hristova
- National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - K. Ishii
- Department of Radiation Measurement and Dose Assessment, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - E. Kis
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - M. Juniewicz
- Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Physics and Biophysics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - R. Kriehuber
- Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - J. Lacombe
- University of Arizona, Center for Applied Nanobioscience & Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Y. Lee
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - K. Lumniczky
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - T.T. Mai
- Dalat Nuclear Research Institute, Radiation Technlogy & Biotechnology Center, Dalat City, Vietnam
| | - N. Maltar-Strmečki
- Ruðer Boškovic Institute, Division of Physical Chemistry, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M. Marrale
- Università Degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica “Emilio Segrè,” Palermo, Italy
| | - J.S. Martinez
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - A. Marciniak
- Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Physics and Biophysics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - N. Maznyk
- Radiation Cytogenetics Laboratory, S.P. Grigoriev Institute for Medical Radiology and Oncology of Ukrainian National Academy of Medical Science, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - S.W.S. McKeever
- Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
| | | | - M. Milanova
- University of Defense, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - T. Miura
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - O. Monteiro Gil
- Instituto Superior Técnico/ Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A. Montoro
- Servicio de Protección Radiológica. Laboratorio de Dosimetría Biológica, Valencia, Spain
| | - M. Moreno Domene
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Laboratorio de dosimetría biológica, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Mrozik
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - R. Nakayama
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - G. O’Brien
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - D. Oskamp
- Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - P. Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - J. Pajic
- Serbian Institute of Occupational Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N. Pastor
- Universidad de Sevilla, Departamento de Biología Celular, Sevilla, Spain
| | - C. Patrono
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M.J. Prieto Rodriguez
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Laboratorio de dosimetría biológica, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Repin
- Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | | | - U. Rößler
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - A. Sakai
- Department of Radiation Life Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - H. Scherthan
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S. Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - K.M. Seong
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - S. Sholom
- Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
| | - S. Sommer
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Y. Suto
- Department of Radiation Measurement and Dose Assessment, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - T. Sypko
- Radiation Cytogenetics Laboratory, S.P. Grigoriev Institute for Medical Radiology and Oncology of Ukrainian National Academy of Medical Science, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - T. Szatmári
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - M. Takahashi-Sugai
- Department of Radiation Life Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - K. Takebayashi
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - A. Testa
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - I. Testard
- CEA-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - A. Tichy
- University of Defense, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - S. Triantopoulou
- National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics Laboratory, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - N. Tsuyama
- Department of Radiation Life Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - M. Unverricht-Yeboah
- Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - M. Valente
- CEA-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - O. Van Hoey
- Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - A. Wojcik
- Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M. Wojewodzka
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lee Younghyun
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - D. Zafiropoulos
- Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro - Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Legnaro, Italy
| | - M. Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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Abend M, Amundson S, Badie C, Brzoska K, Kriehuber R, Lacombe J, Lopez-Riego M, Lumniczky K, Endesfelder D, O’Brien G, Doucha-Senf S, Ghandhi S, Hargitai R, Kis E, Lundholm L, Oskamp D, Ostheim P, Schüle S, Schwanke D, Shuryak I, Siebenwith C, Unverricht-Yeboah M, Wojcik A, Yang J, Zenhausern F, Port M. RENEB Inter-Laboratory Comparison 2021: The Gene Expression Assay. Radiat Res 2023; 199:598-615. [PMID: 37057982 PMCID: PMC11106736 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00206.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Early and high-throughput individual dose estimates are essential following large-scale radiation exposure events. In the context of the Running the European Network for Biodosimetry and Physical Dosimetry (RENEB) 2021 exercise, gene expression assays were conducted and their corresponding performance for dose-assessment is presented in this publication. Three blinded, coded whole blood samples from healthy donors were exposed to 0, 1.2 and 3.5 Gy X-ray doses (240 kVp, 1 Gy/min) using the X-ray source Yxlon. These exposures correspond to clinically relevant groups of unexposed, low dose (no severe acute health effects expected) and high dose exposed individuals (requiring early intensive medical health care). Samples were sent to eight teams for dose estimation and identification of clinically relevant groups. For quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and microarray analyses, samples were lysed, stored at 20°C and shipped on wet ice. RNA isolations and assays were run in each laboratory according to locally established protocols. The time-to-result for both rough early and more precise later reports has been documented where possible. Accuracy of dose estimates was calculated as the difference between estimated and reference doses for all doses (summed absolute difference, SAD) and by determining the number of correctly reported dose estimates that were defined as ±0.5 Gy for reference doses <2.5 Gy and ±1.0 Gy for reference doses >3 Gy, as recommended for triage dosimetry. We also examined the allocation of dose estimates to clinically/diagnostically relevant exposure groups. Altogether, 105 dose estimates were reported by the eight teams, and the earliest report times on dose categories and estimates were 5 h and 9 h, respectively. The coefficient of variation for 85% of all 436 qRT-PCR measurements did not exceed 10%. One team reported dose estimates that systematically deviated several-fold from reported dose estimates, and these outliers were excluded from further analysis. Teams employing a combination of several genes generated about two-times lower median SADs (0.8 Gy) compared to dose estimates based on single genes only (1.7 Gy). When considering the uncertainty intervals for triage dosimetry, dose estimates of all teams together were correctly reported in 100% of the 0 Gy, 50% of the 1.2 Gy and 50% of the 3.5 Gy exposed samples. The order of dose estimates (from lowest to highest) corresponding to three dose categories (unexposed, low dose and highest exposure) were correctly reported by all teams and all chosen genes or gene combinations. Furthermore, if teams reported no exposure or an exposure >3.5 Gy, it was always correctly allocated to the unexposed and the highly exposed group, while low exposed (1.2 Gy) samples sometimes could not be discriminated from highly (3.5 Gy) exposed samples. All teams used FDXR and 78.1% of correct dose estimates used FDXR as one of the predictors. Still, the accuracy of reported dose estimates based on FDXR differed considerably among teams with one team's SAD (0.5 Gy) being comparable to the dose accuracy employing a combination of genes. Using the workflow of this reference team, we performed additional experiments after the exercise on residual RNA and cDNA sent by six teams to the reference team. All samples were processed similarly with the intention to improve the accuracy of dose estimates when employing the same workflow. Re-evaluated dose estimates improved for half of the samples and worsened for the others. In conclusion, this inter-laboratory comparison exercise enabled (1) identification of technical problems and corrections in preparations for future events, (2) confirmed the early and high-throughput capabilities of gene expression, (3) emphasized different biodosimetry approaches using either only FDXR or a gene combination, (4) indicated some improvements in dose estimation with FDXR when employing a similar methodology, which requires further research for the final conclusion and (5) underlined the applicability of gene expression for identification of unexposed and highly exposed samples, supporting medical management in radiological or nuclear scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S.A. Amundson
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - C. Badie
- UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Oxfordshire, England
| | - K. Brzoska
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Centre for Radiobiology and Biological Dosimetry, Warsaw, Poland
| | - R. Kriehuber
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Jülich, Germany
| | - J. Lacombe
- University of Arizona, Center for Applied Nanobioscience & Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - M. Lopez-Riego
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K. Lumniczky
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - D. Endesfelder
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, BfS, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - G. O’Brien
- UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Oxfordshire, England
| | | | - S.A. Ghandhi
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - R. Hargitai
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - E. Kis
- Radiation Medicine Unit, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary
| | - L. Lundholm
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D. Oskamp
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Jülich, Germany
| | - P. Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S. Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - D. Schwanke
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - I. Shuryak
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Center for Radiological Research, New York, New York
| | - C. Siebenwith
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M. Unverricht-Yeboah
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Department of Safety and Radiation Protection, Jülich, Germany
| | - A. Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J. Yang
- University of Arizona, Center for Applied Nanobioscience & Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - F. Zenhausern
- University of Arizona, Center for Applied Nanobioscience & Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - M. Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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Kannan N, Koshy T, Raavi V, Bhaskar E, Moorthy S, Pulivadula Mohanarangam VS, Srinivas Kondaveeti S, Visweswaran S, Perumal V. Candidate Gene Expression in Regional Population and Its Relevance for Radiation Triage. Cytogenet Genome Res 2023; 163:210-222. [PMID: 37253332 DOI: 10.1159/000531258] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantification of gene expression signatures has been substantiated as a potential and rapid marker for radiation triage and biodosimetry during nuclear emergencies. Similar to the established biodosimetry assays, the gene expression assay has drawbacks such as being highly dynamic and transient, not specific to ionizing radiation, and also influenced by confounding factors such as gender, health status, lifestyle, and inflammation. In view of that, prior knowledge of baseline expression of certain candidate genes in a population could complement the discrimination of the unexposed from the exposed individuals without the need for individual pre-exposure controls. We intended to establish a baseline expression of reported radiation-responsive genes such as CDKN1A, DDB2, FDXR, and PCNA in the blood samples of healthy human participants and then compare it with diabetic/hypertension participants (as a chronic inflammatory condition) drawn from south Indian population. Further, we have examined the appropriateness of the assay for radiation triage-like situations; i.e., the expression profiles of those genes were examined in the participants who underwent X-ray-based medical imaging. Acute inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide exposure in the blood significantly increased the fold expression of those genes (p < 0.0001) compared to the control. Whereas the basal expression level of those genes among the participants with the inflammatory condition is marginally higher than those observed in the healthy participants; despite the excess, the fold increase in those genes between the groups did not differ significantly. Consistent with the inflammatory participants, the basal expression level of those genes in the blood sample of participants who received X-radiation during neuro-interventional and computed tomography imaging is marginally higher than those observed in the pre-exposure of respective groups. Nevertheless, the fold increase in those genes did not differ significantly as the fold change fell within the two folds. Thus, overall results suggest that the utility of CDKN1A, DDB2, FDXR, and PCNA gene expression for radiation triage specific after very low-dose radiation exposure needs to be interpreted with caution for a much more reliable triage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandhini Kannan
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Teena Koshy
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Venkateswarlu Raavi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Kolar, India
| | - Emmanuel Bhaskar
- Department of General Medicine, SRMC&RI, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Swathy Moorthy
- Department of General Medicine, SRMC&RI, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Venkata Sai Pulivadula Mohanarangam
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, SRMC&RI, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Satish Srinivas Kondaveeti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, SRMC&RI, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Shangamithra Visweswaran
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
| | - Venkatachalam Perumal
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to Be University), Chennai, India
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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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Schüle S, Hackenbroch C, Beer M, Muhtadi R, Hermann C, Stewart S, Schwanke D, Ostheim P, Port M, Scherthan H, Abend M. Ex-vivo dose response characterization of the recently identified EDA2R gene after low level radiation exposures and comparison with FDXR gene expression and the γH2AX focus assay. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:1584-1594. [PMID: 36988552 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2194402] [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: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recently, promising radiation-induced EDA2R gene expression (GE) changes after low level radiation could be shown. Stimulated by that, in this study, we intended to independently validate these findings and to further characterize dose-response relationships in comparison to FDXR and the γH2AX-DNA double-strand break (DSB) focus assay, since both assays are already widely used for biodosimetry purposes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood samples from six healthy human donors were irradiated ex vivo (dose: ranging from 2.6 to 49.7 mGy). Subsequently, the fold-differences relative to the sham irradiated reference group were calculated. Radiation-induced changes in GE of FDXR and EDA2R were examined using the quantitative real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (qRT-PCR). DSB foci were quantified in 100 γH2AX + 53BP1 immunostained cells employing fluorescence microscopy. Examinations were performed at single time points enabling sufficient detection of both endpoints. RESULTS A significant increase in EDA2R GE relative to the unexposed control was observed in the range of 2.6 mGy (1.6-fold, p = .045) to 5.4 mGy (2.2-fold, p = .0002), whereas the copy numbers increased linearly up to 13.1-fold at 49.7 mGy. On the contrary, FDXR upregulation (2.2-fold) became significant after a 22.6 mGy exposure (p ≤ .02) and increased linearly up to 4-fold at 49.7 mGy. A significant increase in radiation-induced foci (relative to unexposed, RIF-fd) was observed after 11.3 mGy (RIF-fd: 1.5 ± 0.5, p ≤ .03), while the foci increased linearly up to 3-fold at 49.7 mGy. From this, the FDXR and RIF-fd slopes have shown comparability, while the EDA2R slope was five times higher. Nevertheless, the coefficient of variation (CV) of EDA2R was about 30% higher than for RIF-fd. CONCLUSION Higher radiation-induced EDA2R GE changes and a lower radiation detection level compared to RIF-fd and FDXR GE changes examined under optimal conditions ex vivo on human samples appear promising. Yet, our results represent just the beginning of further studies to be conducted in animal models for further time- and dose-dependent evaluation and additional examinations on radiologically examined patients to evaluate the impact of confounder, such as age, sex, social behavior, or diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Hackenbroch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, German Armed Force Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinrad Beer
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Razan Muhtadi
- 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
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Schwanke
- 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
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany
| | - Harry Scherthan
- 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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Abstract
Intercellular communication by Wnt proteins governs many essential processes during development, tissue homeostasis and disease in all metazoans. Many context-dependent effects are initiated in the Wnt-producing cells and depend on the export of lipidated Wnt proteins. Although much focus has been on understanding intracellular Wnt signal transduction, the cellular machinery responsible for Wnt secretion became better understood only recently. After lipid modification by the acyl-transferase Porcupine, Wnt proteins bind their dedicated cargo protein Evi/Wntless for transport and secretion. Evi/Wntless and Porcupine are conserved transmembrane proteins, and their 3D structures were recently determined. In this Review, we summarise studies and structural data highlighting how Wnts are transported from the ER to the plasma membrane, and the role of SNX3-retromer during the recycling of its cargo receptor Evi/Wntless. We also describe the regulation of Wnt export through a post-translational mechanism and review the importance of Wnt secretion for organ development and cancer, and as a future biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Wolf
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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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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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: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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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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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Cosar R, Özen A, Tastekin E, Süt N, Cakina S, Demir S, Parlar S, Nurlu D, Kavuzlu Y, Koçak Z. Does Gender Difference Effect Radiation-Induced Lung Toxicity? An Experimental Study by Genetic and Histopathological Predictors. Radiat Res 2021; 197:280-288. [PMID: 34735567 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00075.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have reported differences in radiation toxicity between the sexes, but these differences have not been tested with respect to histopathology and genes. This animal study aimed to show an association between histopathological findings of radiation-induced lung toxicity and the genes ATM, SOD2, TGF-β1, XRCC1, XRCC3 and HHR2. In all, 120 animals were randomly divided into 2 control groups (male and female) and experimental groups comprising fifteen rats stratified by sex, radiotherapy (0 Gy vs. 10 Gy), and time to sacrifice (6, 12, and 24 weeks postirradiation). Histopathological evaluations for lung injury, namely, intra-alveolar edema, alveolar neutrophils, intra-alveolar erythrocytes, activated macrophages, intra-alveolar fibrosis, hyaline arteriosclerosis, and collapse were performed under a light microscope using a grid system; the evaluations were semi quantitatively scored. Then, the alveolar wall thickness was measured. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine gene expression differences in ATM, TGF-β1, XRCC1, XRCC3, SOD2 and HHR2L among the groups. Histopathological data showed that radiation-induced acute, subacute, and chronic lung toxicity were worse in male rats. The expression levels of the evaluated genes were significantly higher in females than males in the control group, but this difference was lost over time after radiotherapy. Less toxicity in females may be attributable to the fact that the expression of the evaluated genes was higher in normal lung tissue in females than in males and the changes in gene expression patterns in the postradiotherapy period played a protective role in females. Additional data related to pulmonary function, lung weights, imaging, or outcomes are needed to support this data that is based on histopathology alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusen Cosar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Alaattin Özen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Ebru Tastekin
- Department of Pathology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Necdet Süt
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Suat Cakina
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Selma Demir
- Department of Medical Genetics, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Sule Parlar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Dilek Nurlu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Kavuzlu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Zafer Koçak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
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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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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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24
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Analyzing the impact of 900 MHz EMF short-term exposure to the expression of 667 miRNAs in human peripheral blood cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4444. [PMID: 33627699 PMCID: PMC7904780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82278-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
More than ever before, people around the world are frequently exposed to different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, mainly emitted from wireless modern communication technologies. Especially, the level of knowledge on non-thermal biological EMF effects remains controversial. New technologies allow for a more detailed detection of non-coding RNAs which affect the post-transcriptional control. Such method shall be applied in this work to investigate the response of human blood cells to electromagnetic irradiation. In this ex vivo in vitro study, we exposed peripheral blood cells from 5 male donors to a continuous wave of 900 MHz EMF for 0, 30, 60 and 90 min. Significant micro RNA (miRNA) expression changes (p ≤ 0.05) above or below the SHAM exposed samples were evaluated using a quantitative real time PCR platform for simultaneous detection of 667 miRNAs called low density array. Only significant miRNA expression changes which were detectable in at least 60% of the samples per exposure group were analyzed. The results were compared with data from room temperature + 2 °C (RT + 2 °C) samples (here referred to as hyperthermia) to exclude miRNA expression altered by hyperthermia. The validation study by using the same donors and study design was performed after an interval of 2 years. When analyzing a total of 667 miRNAs during the screening study, 2 promising candidate miRNAs were identified, which were down regulated almost twice and showed a complete separation from the unexposed control group (miR-194 at 30 min and miR-939 at 60 min). The p-values even survived the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.004, respectively). None of these miRNAs were expressed at a second time point after EMF exposure. Following an alternative analysis approach, we examined for miRNAs revealing an expected significant association of differential miRNA expression with the dose-time EMF exposure product, separately for each donor. Donors 2 and 3 revealed 11 and 10 miRNA species being significantly associated with EMF exposure which differed significantly from the other donors showing a minor number of differentially expressed miRNAs and could identify donors 2 and 3 as particularly EMF-responsive. The measurements were repeated after 2 years. The number of expressed/non-expressed miRNAs was almost similar (97.4%), but neither the number nor the previously differentially expressed miRNAs could be reproduced. Our data neither support evidence of early changes at miRNA expression level in human whole blood cells after 900 MHz EMF exposure nor the identification of EMF-responsive individuals.
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25
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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: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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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26
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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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27
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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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