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Aryankalayil MJ, Patel H, May JM, Shankavaram U, Bylicky MA, Martello S, Chopra S, Axtelle J, Menon N, Coleman CN. Whole-blood RNA biomarkers for predicting survival in non-human primates following thoracic radiation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22957. [PMID: 39362942 PMCID: PMC11449919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72975-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiation injury, either from radiotherapy or a mass-casualty event requires a health care system that can efficiently allocate resources to patients. We conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of whole blood from a nonhuman primate model that received upper thoracic radiation (9.8-10.7 Gy). Blood samples were collected at multiple time points, extending up to 270 days post-irradiation with a minimum n = 6 for initial time points (Day 3-Day 40) and a total number of n = 28 primates. No males receiving the higher dose survived to Day 270. Using the Elastic Net model in R we found that pooling biomarkers from Day 3-21 increased our accuracy in discerning survival time, pleural effusion or dose compared to using biomarkers specific to a single day. For survival data, in predicting short term (less than 90 day), medium term (Day 91-269) or long-term survival (Day 270), prediction accuracy using only Day 3 data was 0.14 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.1, 0.19) while pooled data for Male and Female was 0.76 (CI 0.69, 0.82). When pooled data was divided by biological sex, accuracy was 0.7 (CI 0.58, 0.8) for pooled data from Males and 0.84 (CI 0.76, 0.91) for Females. The development of RNA biomarkers as a tool to aid in clinical decision-making could significantly improve patient care in cases of radiation injury, whether from radiotherapy or mass-casualty events. Further validation and clinical translation of these findings could lead to improved patient care and management strategies in cases of radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molykutty J Aryankalayil
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Room B3B406, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Haaris Patel
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jared M May
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Uma Shankavaram
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michelle A Bylicky
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shannon Martello
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sunita Chopra
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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2
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Schüle S, Bunert F, Hackenbroch C, Beer M, Ostheim P, Stewart S, Port M, Scherthan H, Abend M. The Influence of Computed Tomography Contrast Agent on Radiation-Induced Gene Expression and Double-Strand Breaks. Radiat Res 2024; 201:396-405. [PMID: 38282002 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00118.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
After nuclear scenarios, combined injuries of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) with, e.g., abdominal trauma, will occur and may require contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans for diagnostic purposes. Here, we investigated the effect of iodinated contrast agents on radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes used for biodosimetry (AEN, BAX, CDKN1A, EDA2R, APOBEC3H) and for hematologic ARS severity prediction (FDXR, DDB2, WNT3, POU2AF1), and on the induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) used for biodosimetry. Whole blood samples from 10 healthy donors (5 males, 5 females, mean age: 28 ± 2 years) were irradiated with X rays (0, 1 and 4 Gy) with and without the addition of iodinated contrast agent (0.016 ml contrast agent/ml blood) to the blood prior to the exposure. The amount of contrast agent was set to be equivalent to the blood concentration of an average patient (80 kg) during a contrast-enhanced CT scan. After irradiation, blood samples were incubated at 37°C for 20 min (DSB) and 8 h (GE, DSB). GE was measured employing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. DSB foci were revealed by γH2AX + 53BP1 immunostaining and quantified automatically in >927 cells/sample. Radiation-induced differential gene expression (DGE) and DSB foci were calculated using the respective unexposed sample without supplementation of contrast agent as the reference. Neither the GE nor the number of DSB foci was significantly (P = 0.07-0.94) altered by the contrast agent application. However, for some GE and DSB comparisons with/without contrast agent, there were weakly significant differences (P = 0.03-0.04) without an inherent logic and thus are likely due to inter-individual variation. In nuclear events, the diagnostics of combined injuries can require the use of an iodinated contrast agent, which, according to our results, does not alter or influence radiation-induced GE changes and the quantity of DSB foci. Therefore, the gene expression and γH2AX focus assay can still be applied for biodosimetry and/or hematologic ARS severity prediction in such scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüle
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, German Armed Force Hospital of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Felix Bunert
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Hackenbroch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, German Armed Force Hospital of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinrad Beer
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Ostheim
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Harry Scherthan
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
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Li W, Gao G, Pan Y, Wang Z, Ruan J, Fan L, Shen Y, Wang H, Li M, Zhang P, Fang L, Fu J, Liu J. Integration of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyzes the effect of low dose neutron-γ radiation on gene expression of lymphocytes from oilfield logging workers. Front Chem 2023; 11:1269911. [PMID: 38099192 PMCID: PMC10720751 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1269911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Although radiation workers are exposed to much lower doses of neutron-γ rays than those suffered in nuclear explosions and accidents, it does not mean that their health is not affected by radiation. Lower doses of radiation do not always cause morphological aberrations in chromosomes, so more sophisticated tests must be sought to specific alterations in the exposed cells. Our goal was to characterize the specific gene expression in lymphocytes from logging workers who were continuously exposed to low doses of neutron-γ radiation. We hypothesized that the combination of cell type-specific transcriptomes and open chromatin profiles would identify lymphocyte-specific gene alterations induced by long-term radiation with low-dose neutron-γ-rays and discover new regulatory pathways and transcriptional regulatory elements. Methods: Lymphocytes were extracted from workers who have been occupationally exposed to neutron-γ and workers unexposed to radiation in the same company. mRNA-seq and ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing) were performed, followed integrative analysis to identify specific gene regulatory regions induced by neutron-γ radiation. A qPCR assay was then performed to verify the downregulation of RNA coding for ribosomal proteins and flow cytometry was used to detect ribosomal protein expression and cell cycle alterations. Results: We identified transcripts that were specifically induced by neutron-γ radiation and discovered differential open chromatin regions that correlated with these gene activation patterns. Notably, we observed a downward trend in the expression of both differentially expressed genes and open chromatin peaks. Our most significant finding was that the differential peak upregulated in ATAC-seq, while the differential gene was downregulated in the ribosome pathway. We confirmed that neutron-γ radiation leads to transcriptional inhibition by analyzing the most enriched promoters, examining RPS18 and RPS27A expression by qPCR, and analyzing protein-protein interactions of the differential genes. Ribosomal protein expression and cell cycle were also affected by neutron-γ as detected by flow cytometry. Conclusion: We have comprehensively analyzed the genetic landscape of human lymphocytes based on chromatin accessibility and transcript levels, enabling the identification of novel neutron-γ induced signature genes not previously known. By comparing fine-mapping of open chromatin and RNA reads, we have determined that neutron-γ specifically leads to downregulation of genes in the ribosome pathway, with pseudogenes potentially playing a crucial role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Gao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Pan
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqiang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianlei Ruan
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Li Fan
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Shen
- Safety and Environmental Protection Department, Shengli Logging Company, Sinopec Jingwei Co., LTD., Dongying, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqing Wang
- Dongying Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dongying, Shandong, China
| | - Mian Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Pinhua Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
| | - Lianying Fang
- School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University Institute of Radiation Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinghong Fu
- School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University Institute of Radiation Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianxiang Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Beijing, China
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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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Broustas CG, Mukherjee S, Shuryak I, Taraboletti A, Angdisen J, Ake P, Fornace AJ, Amundson SA. Impact of GADD45A on Radiation Biodosimetry Using Mouse Peripheral Blood. Radiat Res 2023; 200:296-306. [PMID: 37421415 PMCID: PMC10559452 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00052.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
High-dose-radiation exposure in a short period of time leads to radiation syndromes characterized by severe acute and delayed organ-specific injury accompanied by elevated organismal morbidity and mortality. Radiation biodosimetry based on gene expression analysis of peripheral blood is a valuable tool to detect exposure to radiation after a radiological/nuclear incident and obtain useful biological information that could predict tissue and organismal injury. However, confounding factors, including chronic inflammation, can potentially obscure the predictive power of the method. GADD45A (Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene a) plays important roles in cell growth control, differentiation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. GADD45A-deficient mice develop an autoimmune disease, similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by severe hematological disorders, kidney disease, and premature death. The goal of this study was to elucidate how pre-existing inflammation in mice, induced by GADD45A ablation, can affect radiation biodosimetry. We exposed wild-type and GADD45A knockout male C57BL/6J mice to 7 Gy of X rays and 24 h later RNA was isolated from whole blood and subjected to whole genome microarray and gene ontology analyses. Dose reconstruction analysis using a gene signature trained on gene expression data from irradiated wild-type male mice showed accurate reconstruction of either a 0 Gy or 7 Gy dose with root mean square error of ± 1.05 Gy (R^2 = 1.00) in GADD45A knockout mice. Gene ontology analysis revealed that irradiation of both wild-type and GADD45A-null mice led to a significant overrepresentation of pathways associated with morbidity and mortality, as well as organismal cell death. However, based on their z-score, these pathways were predicted to be more significantly overrepresented in GADD45A-null mice, implying that GADD45A deletion may exacerbate the deleterious effects of radiation on blood cells. Numerous immune cell functions and quantities were predicted to be underrepresented in both genotypes; however, differentially expressed genes from irradiated GADD45A knockout mice predicted an increased deterioration in the numbers of T lymphocytes, as well as myeloid cells, compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, an overrepresentation of genes associated with radiation-induced hematological malignancies was associated with GADD45A knockout mice, whereas hematopoietic and progenitor cell functions were predicted to be downregulated in irradiated GADD45A knockout mice. In conclusion, despite the significant differences in gene expression between wild-type and GADD45A knockout mice, it is still feasible to identify a panel of genes that could accurately distinguish between irradiated and control mice, irrespective of pre-existing inflammation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G. Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sanjay Mukherjee
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexandra Taraboletti
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jerry Angdisen
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Pelagie Ake
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Albert J. Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sally A. Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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6
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Aryankalayil MJ, Bylicky MA, Martello S, Chopra S, Sproull M, May JM, Shankardass A, MacMillan L, Vanpouille-Box C, Eke I, Scott KMK, Dalo J, Coleman CN. Microarray analysis of hub genes, non-coding RNAs and pathways in lung after whole body irradiation in a mouse model. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:1702-1715. [PMID: 37212632 PMCID: PMC10615684 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2214205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous research has highlighted the impact of radiation damage, with cancer patients developing acute disorders including radiation induced pneumonitis or chronic disorders including pulmonary fibrosis months after radiation therapy ends. We sought to discover biomarkers that predict these injuries and develop treatments that mitigate this damage and improve quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six- to eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice received 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 Gy or sham whole body irradiation. Animals were euthanized 48 h post exposure and lungs removed, snap frozen and underwent RNA isolation. Microarray analysis was performed to determine dysregulation of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) after radiation injury. RESULTS We observed sustained dysregulation of specific RNA markers including: mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs across all doses. We also identified significantly upregulated genes that can indicate high dose exposure, including Cpt1c, Pdk4, Gdf15, and Eda2r, which are markers of senescence and fibrosis. Only three miRNAs were significantly dysregulated across all radiation doses: miRNA-142-3p and miRNA-142-5p were downregulated and miRNA-34a-5p was upregulated. IPA analysis predicted inhibition of several molecular pathways with increasing doses of radiation, including: T cell development, Quantity of leukocytes, Quantity of lymphocytes, and Cell viability. CONCLUSIONS These RNA biomarkers might be highly relevant in the development of treatments and in predicting normal tissue injury in patients undergoing radiation treatment. We are conducting further experiments in our laboratory, which includes a human lung-on-a-chip model, to develop a decision tree model using RNA biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molykutty J Aryankalayil
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michelle A Bylicky
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shannon Martello
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sunita Chopra
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary Sproull
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jared M May
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Aman Shankardass
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Iris Eke
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kevin M K Scott
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juan Dalo
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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7
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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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8
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Endesfelder D, Kulka U, Bucher M, Giesen U, Garty G, Beinke C, Port M, Gruel G, Gregoire E, Terzoudi G, Triantopoulou S, Ainsbury EA, Moquet J, Sun M, Prieto MJ, Moreno Domene M, Barquinero JF, Pujol-Canadell M, Vral A, Baeyens A, Wojcik A, Oestreicher U. International Comparison Exercise for Biological Dosimetry after Exposures with Neutrons Performed at Two Irradiation Facilities as Part of the BALANCE Project. Cytogenet Genome Res 2023; 163:163-177. [PMID: 37071978 PMCID: PMC10641373 DOI: 10.1159/000530728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the case of a radiological or nuclear event, biological dosimetry can be an important tool to support clinical decision-making. During a nuclear event, individuals might be exposed to a mixed field of neutrons and photons. The composition of the field and the neutron energy spectrum influence the degree of damage to the chromosomes. During the transatlantic BALANCE project, an exposure similar to a Hiroshima-like device at a distance of 1.5 km from the epicenter was simulated, and biological dosimetry based on dicentric chromosomes was performed to evaluate the participants ability to discover unknown doses and to test the influence of differences in neutron spectra. In a first step, calibration curves were established by irradiating blood samples with 5 doses in the range of 0-4 Gy at two different facilities in Germany (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt [PTB]) and the USA (the Columbia IND Neutron Facility [CINF]). The samples were sent to eight participating laboratories from the RENEB network and dicentric chromosomes were scored by each participant. Next, blood samples were irradiated with 4 blind doses in each of the two facilities and sent to the participants to provide dose estimates based on the established calibration curves. Manual and semiautomatic scoring of dicentric chromosomes were evaluated for their applicability to neutron exposures. Moreover, the biological effectiveness of the neutrons from the two irradiation facilities was compared. The calibration curves from samples irradiated at CINF showed a 1.4 times higher biological effectiveness compared to samples irradiated at PTB. For manual scoring of dicentric chromosomes, the doses of the test samples were mostly successfully resolved based on the calibration curves established during the project. For semiautomatic scoring, the dose estimation for the test samples was less successful. Doses >2 Gy in the calibration curves revealed nonlinear associations between dose and dispersion index of the dicentric counts, especially for manual scoring. The differences in the biological effectiveness between the irradiation facilities suggested that the neutron energy spectrum can have a strong impact on the dicentric counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Endesfelder
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Oberschleißheim, Germany,
| | - Ulrike Kulka
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Martin Bucher
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Ulrich Giesen
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Guy Garty
- Radiological Research Accelerator Facility (RARAF), Columbia University, Irvington, New York, USA
| | | | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Gaetan Gruel
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-Santé, SERAMED, LRAcc, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Eric Gregoire
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-Santé, SERAMED, LRAcc, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Georgia Terzoudi
- Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics Laboratory, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos,", Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiria Triantopoulou
- Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics Laboratory, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos,", Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth A Ainsbury
- Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Jayne Moquet
- Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Mingzhu Sun
- Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - María Jesús Prieto
- Centro de Oncología Radioterápica, Laboratorio de Dosimetría Biológica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Moreno Domene
- Centro de Oncología Radioterápica, Laboratorio de Dosimetría Biológica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan-Francesc Barquinero
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Monica Pujol-Canadell
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anne Vral
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiobiology Research Unit, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ans Baeyens
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiobiology Research Unit, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Ursula Oestreicher
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Oberschleißheim, Germany
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9
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Broustas CG, Shuryak I, Duval AJ, Amundson SA. Effect of Age and Sex on Gene Expression-Based Radiation Biodosimetry Using Mouse Peripheral Blood. Cytogenet Genome Res 2023; 163:197-209. [PMID: 36928338 PMCID: PMC10585707 DOI: 10.1159/000530172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-based gene expression profiles that can reconstruct radiation exposure are being developed as a practical approach to radiation biodosimetry. However, age and sex could potentially limit the accuracy of the approach. In this study, we determined the impact of age on the peripheral blood cell gene expression profile of female mice exposed to radiation and identified differences and similarities with a previously obtained transcriptomic signature of male mice. Young (2 months) and old (24 months) female mice were irradiated with 4 Gy X-rays, total RNA was isolated from blood 24 hours later and subjected to whole-genome microarray analysis. Dose reconstruction analyses using a gene signature trained on gene expression data from irradiated young male mice showed accurate reconstruction of 0 or 4 Gy doses with root mean square error of ±0.75 Gy (R2 = 0.90) in young female mice. Although dose reconstruction for irradiated old female mice was less accurate than young female mice, the deviation from the actual radiation dose was not statistically significant. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that after irradiation, apoptosis-related functions were overrepresented, whereas functions related to quantities of various immune cell subtypes were underrepresented, among differentially expressed genes from young female mice, but not older animals. Furthermore, young mice significantly upregulated genes involved in phagocytosis, a process that eliminates apoptotic cells and preserves tissue homeostasis. Both functions were also overrepresented in young, but not old, male mice following 4 Gy X-irradiation. Lastly, functions associated with neutrophil activation that is essential for killing invading pathogens and regulating the inflammatory response were predicted to be uniquely enriched in young but not old female mice. This work supports the concept that peripheral blood gene expression profiles can be identified in mice that accurately predict physical radiation dose exposure irrespective of age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G. Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Axel J. Duval
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sally A. Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Royba E, Repin M, Balajee AS, Shuryak I, Pampou S, Karan C, Wang YF, Lemus OD, Obaid R, Deoli N, Wuu CS, Brenner DJ, Garty G. Validation of a High-Throughput Dicentric Chromosome Assay Using Complex Radiation Exposures. Radiat Res 2023; 199:1-16. [PMID: 35994701 PMCID: PMC9947868 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00007.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Validation of biodosimetry assays is routinely performed using primarily orthovoltage irradiators at a conventional dose rate of approximately 1 Gy/min. However, incidental/ accidental exposures caused by nuclear weapons can be more complex. The aim of this work was to simulate the DNA damage effects mimicking those caused by the detonation of a several kilotons improvised nuclear device (IND). For this, we modeled complex exposures to: 1. a mixed (photons + IND-neutrons) field and 2. different dose rates that may come from the blast, nuclear fallout, or ground deposition of radionuclides (ground shine). Additionally, we assessed whether myeloid cytokines affect the precision of radiation dose estimation by modulating the frequency of dicentric chromosomes. To mimic different exposure scenarios, several irradiation systems were used. In a mixed field study, human blood samples were exposed to a photon field enriched with neutrons (ranging from 10% to 37%) from a source that mimics Hiroshima's A-bomb's energy spectrum (0.2-9 MeV). Using statistical analysis, we assessed whether photons and neutrons act in an additive or synergistic way to form dicentrics. For the dose rates study, human blood was exposed to photons or electrons at dose rates ranging from low (where the dose was spread over 32 h) to extremely high (where the dose was delivered in a fraction of a microsecond). Potential effects of cytokine treatment on biodosimetry dose predictions were analyzed in irradiated blood subjected to Neupogen or Neulasta for 24 or 48 h at the concentration recommended to forestall manifestation of an acute radiation syndrome in bomb survivors. All measurements were performed using a robotic station, the Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool II, programmed to culture lymphocytes and score dicentrics in multiwell plates (the RABiT-II DCA). In agreement with classical concepts of radiation biology, the RABiT-II DCA calibration curves suggested that the frequency of dicentrics depends on the type of radiation and is modulated by changes in the dose rate. The resulting dose-response curves suggested an intermediate dicentric yields and additive effects of photons and IND-neutrons in the mixed field. At ultra-high dose rate (600 Gy/s), affected lymphocytes exhibited significantly fewer dicentrics (P < 0.004, t test). In contrast, we did not find the dose-response modification effects of radiomitigators on the yields of dicentrics (Bonferroni corrected P > 0.006, ANOVA test). This result suggests no bias in the dose predictions should be expected after emergency cytokine treatment initiated up to 48 h prior to blood collection for dicentric analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Royba
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Mikhail Repin
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Adayabalam S. Balajee
- Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory (CBL), Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Sergey Pampou
- Columbia Genome Center High-Throughput Screening facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Charles Karan
- Columbia Genome Center High-Throughput Screening facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Yi-Fang Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Olga Dona Lemus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Razib Obaid
- Radiological Research Accelerator facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Irvington, New York
- Currently at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Naresh Deoli
- Radiological Research Accelerator facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Irvington, New York
| | - Cheng-Shie Wuu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - David J. Brenner
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Guy Garty
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Radiological Research Accelerator facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Irvington, New York
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11
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Sagkrioti E, Biz GM, Takan I, Asfa S, Nikitaki Z, Zanni V, Kars RH, Hellweg CE, Azzam EI, Logotheti S, Pavlopoulou A, Georgakilas AG. Radiation Type- and Dose-Specific Transcriptional Responses across Healthy and Diseased Mammalian Tissues. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2286. [PMID: 36421472 PMCID: PMC9687520 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is a genuine genotoxic agent and a major modality in cancer treatment. IR disrupts DNA sequences and exerts mutagenic and/or cytotoxic properties that not only alter critical cellular functions but also impact tissues proximal and distal to the irradiated site. Unveiling the molecular events governing the diverse effects of IR at the cellular and organismal levels is relevant for both radiotherapy and radiation protection. Herein, we address changes in the expression of mammalian genes induced after the exposure of a wide range of tissues to various radiation types with distinct biophysical characteristics. First, we constructed a publicly available database, termed RadBioBase, which will be updated at regular intervals. RadBioBase includes comprehensive transcriptomes of mammalian cells across healthy and diseased tissues that respond to a range of radiation types and doses. Pertinent information was derived from a hybrid analysis based on stringent literature mining and transcriptomic studies. An integrative bioinformatics methodology, including functional enrichment analysis and machine learning techniques, was employed to unveil the characteristic biological pathways related to specific radiation types and their association with various diseases. We found that the effects of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation on cell transcriptomes significantly differ from those caused by low LET and are consistent with immunomodulation, inflammation, oxidative stress responses and cell death. The transcriptome changes also depend on the dose since low doses up to 0.5 Gy are related with cytokine cascades, while higher doses with ROS metabolism. We additionally identified distinct gene signatures for different types of radiation. Overall, our data suggest that different radiation types and doses can trigger distinct trajectories of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic pathways that hold promise to be manipulated toward improving radiotherapy efficiency and reducing systemic radiotoxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Sagkrioti
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
- Biology Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Gökay Mehmet Biz
- Department of Technical Programs, Izmir Vocational School, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca, Izmir 35380, Turkey
| | - Işıl Takan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Seyedehsadaf Asfa
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Zacharenia Nikitaki
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Zanni
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Rumeysa Hanife Kars
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul 34810, Turkey
| | - Christine E. Hellweg
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany
| | | | - Stella Logotheti
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Balcova, Izmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece
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12
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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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13
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Macaeva E, Tabury K, Michaux A, Janssen A, Averbeck N, Moreels M, De Vos WH, Baatout S, Quintens R. High-LET Carbon and Iron Ions Elicit a Prolonged and Amplified p53 Signaling and Inflammatory Response Compared to low-LET X-Rays in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:768493. [PMID: 34888245 PMCID: PMC8649625 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.768493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the differences in biological response to photon and particle radiation is important for optimal exploitation of particle therapy for cancer patients, as well as for the adequate application of radiation protection measures for astronauts. To address this need, we compared the transcriptional profiles of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells 8 h after exposure to 1 Gy of X-rays, carbon ions or iron ions with those of non-irradiated cells using microarray technology. All genes that were found differentially expressed in response to either radiation type were up-regulated and predominantly controlled by p53. Quantitative PCR of selected genes revealed a significantly higher up-regulation 24 h after exposure to heavy ions as compared to X-rays, indicating their prolonged activation. This coincided with increased residual DNA damage as evidenced by quantitative γH2AX foci analysis. Furthermore, despite the converging p53 signature between radiation types, specific gene sets related to the immune response were significantly enriched in up-regulated genes following irradiation with heavy ions. In addition, irradiation, and in particular exposure to carbon ions, promoted transcript variation. Differences in basal and iron ion exposure-induced expression of DNA repair genes allowed the identification of a donor with distinct DNA repair profile. This suggests that gene signatures may serve as a sensitive indicator of individual DNA damage repair capacity. In conclusion, we have shown that photon and particle irradiation induce similar transcriptional pathways, albeit with variable amplitude and timing, but also elicit radiation type-specific responses that may have implications for cancer progression and treatment
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellina Macaeva
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Arlette Michaux
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Janssen
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Nicole Averbeck
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marjan Moreels
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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14
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Laiakis EC, Canadell MP, Grilj V, Harken AD, Garty GY, Brenner DJ, Smilenov L, Fornace AJ. Small Molecule Responses to Sequential Irradiation with Neutrons and Photons for Biodosimetry Applications: An Initial Assessment. Radiat Res 2021; 196:468-477. [PMID: 33857313 PMCID: PMC9004252 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00032.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Mass casualty exposure scenarios from an improvised nuclear device are expected to be far more complex than simple photons. Based on the proximity to the explosion and potential shielding, a mixed field of neutrons and photons comprised of up to approximately 30% neutrons of the total dose is anticipated. This presents significant challenges for biodosimetry and for short-term and long-term medical treatment of exposed populations. In this study we employed untargeted metabolomic methods to develop a biosignature in urine and serum from C57BL/6 mice to address radiation quality issues. The signature was developed in males and applied to samples from female mice to identify potential sex differences. Thirteen urinary (primarily amino acids, vitamin products, nucleotides) and 18 serum biomarkers (primarily mitochondrial and fatty acid β oxidation intermediates) were selected and evaluated in samples from day 1 and day 7 postirradiation. Sham-irradiated groups (controls) were compared to an equitoxic dose (3 Gy X-ray equivalent) from X rays (1.2 Gy/min), neutrons (∼1 Gy/h), or neutrons-photons. Results showed a time-dependent increase in the efficiency of the signatures, with serum providing the highest levels of accuracy in distinguishing not only between exposed from non-exposed populations, but also between radiation quality (photon exposures vs. exposures with a neutron component) and in between neutron-photon exposures (5, 15 or 25% of neutrons in the total dose) for evaluating the neutron contribution. A group of metabolites known as acylcarnitines was only responsive in males, indicating the potential for different mechanisms of action in baseline levels and of neutron-photon responses between the two sexes. Our findings highlight the potential of metabolomics in developing biodosimetric methods to evaluate mixed exposures with high sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evagelia C. Laiakis
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular
Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | | | - Veljko Grilj
- Radiological Research Accelerator Facility, Columbia
University, Irvington, New York
| | - Andrew D. Harken
- Radiological Research Accelerator Facility, Columbia
University, Irvington, New York
| | - Guy Y. Garty
- Radiological Research Accelerator Facility, Columbia
University, Irvington, New York
| | - David J. Brenner
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New
York, New York
| | - Lubomir Smilenov
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New
York, New York
| | - Albert J. Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular
Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
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15
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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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16
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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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17
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Broustas CG, Duval AJ, Amundson SA. Impact of aging on gene expression response to x-ray irradiation using mouse blood. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10177. [PMID: 33986387 PMCID: PMC8119453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89682-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a radiation biodosimetry tool, gene expression profiling is being developed using mouse and human peripheral blood models. The impact of dose, dose-rate, and radiation quality has been studied with the goal of predicting radiological tissue injury. In this study, we determined the impact of aging on the gene expression profile of blood from mice exposed to radiation. Young (2 mo) and old (21 mo) male mice were irradiated with 4 Gy x-rays, total RNA was isolated from whole blood 24 h later, and subjected to whole genome microarray analysis. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed young mice responded to x-ray exposure by significantly upregulating pathways involved in apoptosis and phagocytosis, a process that eliminates apoptotic cells and preserves tissue homeostasis. In contrast, the functional annotation of senescence was overrepresented among differentially expressed genes from irradiated old mice without enrichment of phagocytosis pathways. Pathways associated with hematologic malignancies were enriched in irradiated old mice compared with irradiated young mice. The fibroblast growth factor signaling pathway was underrepresented in older mice under basal conditions. Similarly, brain-related functions were underrepresented in unirradiated old mice. Thus, age-dependent gene expression differences should be considered when developing gene signatures for use in radiation biodosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Axel J Duval
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sally A Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Shuryak I, Ghandhi SA, Turner HC, Weber W, Melo D, Amundson SA, Brenner DJ. Dose and Dose-Rate Effects in a Mouse Model of Internal Exposure from 137Cs. Part 2: Integration of Gamma-H2AX and Gene Expression Biomarkers for Retrospective Radiation Biodosimetry. Radiat Res 2020; 196:491-500. [PMID: 33064820 PMCID: PMC8944909 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00042.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Inhalation and ingestion of 137Cs and other long-lived radionuclides can occur after large-scale accidental or malicious radioactive contamination incidents, resulting in a complex temporal pattern of radiation dose/dose rate, influenced by radionuclide pharmacokinetics and chemical properties. High-throughput radiation biodosimetry techniques for such internal exposure are needed to assess potential risks of short-term toxicity and delayed effects (e.g., carcinogenesis) for exposed individuals. Previously, we used γ-H2AX to reconstruct injected 137Cs activity in experimentally-exposed mice, and converted activity values into radiation doses based on time since injection and 137Cs-elimination kinetics. In the current study, we sought to assess the feasibility and possible advantages of combining γ-H2AX with transcriptomics to improve 137Cs activity reconstructions. We selected five genes (Atf5, Hist2h2aa2, Olfr358, Psrc1, Hist2h2ac) with strong statistically-significant Spearman's correlations with injected activity and stable expression over time after 137Cs injection. The geometric mean of log-transformed signals of these five genes, combined with γ-H2AX fluorescence, were used as predictors in a nonlinear model for reconstructing injected 137Cs activity. The coefficient of determination (R2) comparing actual and reconstructed activities was 0.91 and root mean squared error (RMSE) was 0.95 MBq. These metrics remained stable when the model was fitted to a randomly-selected half of the data and tested on the other half, repeated 100 times. Model performance was significantly better when compared to our previous analysis using γ-H2AX alone, and when compared to an analysis where genes are used without γ-H2AX, suggesting that integrating γ-H2AX with gene expression provides an important advantage. Our findings show a proof of principle that integration of radiation-responsive biomarkers from different fields is promising for radiation biodosimetry of internal emitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Shanaz A. Ghandhi
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Helen C. Turner
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Waylon Weber
- Lovelace Biomedical, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87108
| | | | - Sally A. Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - David J. Brenner
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
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