Determination of Chromosome Aberrations in Human Fibroblasts Irradiated by Mixed Fields Generated with Shielding

DNA break clustering as a predictor of cell death across various radiation qualities: influence of cell size, cell asymmetry, and beam orientation

Cosmic radiation, composed of high charge and energy (HZE) particles, causes cellular DNA damage that can result in cell death or mutation that can evolve into cancer. In this work, a cell death model is applied to several cell lines exposed to HZE ions spanning a broad range of linear energy transfer (LET) values. We hypothesize that chromatin movement leads to the clustering of multiple double strand breaks (DSB) within one radiation-induced foci (RIF). The survival probability of a cell population is determined by averaging the survival probabilities of individual cells, which is function of the number of pairwise DSB interactions within RIF. The simulation code RITCARD was used to compute DSB. Two clustering approaches were applied to determine the number of RIF per cell. RITCARD outputs were combined with experimental data from four normal human cell lines to derive the model parameters and expand its predictions in response to ions with LET ranging from ~0.2 keV/μm to ~3000 keV/μm. Spherical and ellipsoidal nuclear shapes and two ion beam orientations were modeled to assess the impact of geometrical properties on cell death. The calculated average number of RIF per cell reproduces the saturation trend for high doses and high-LET values that is usually experimentally observed. The cell survival model generates the recognizable bell shape of LET dependence for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE). At low LET, smaller nuclei have lower survival due to increased DNA density and DSB clustering. At high LET, nuclei with a smaller irradiation area-either because of a smaller size or a change in beam orientation-have a higher survival rate due to a change in the distribution of DSB/RIF per cell. If confirmed experimentally, the geometric characteristics of cells would become a significant factor in predicting radiation-induced biological effects. Insight Box: High-charge and energy (HZE) ions are characterized by dense linear energy transfer (LET) that induce unique spatial distributions of DNA damage in cell nuclei that result in a greater biological effect than sparsely ionizing radiation like X-rays. HZE ions are a prominent component of galactic cosmic ray exposure during human spaceflight and specific ions are being used for radiotherapy. Here, we model DNA damage clustering at sub-micrometer scale to predict cell survival. The model is in good agreement with experimental data for a broad range of LET. Notably, the model indicates that nuclear geometry and ion beam orientation affect DNA damage clustering, which reveals their possible role in mediating cell radiosensitivity.

Galactic cosmic ray simulation at the NASA space radiation laboratory - Progress, challenges and recommendations on mixed-field effects

For missions beyond low Earth orbit to the moon or Mars, space explorers will encounter a complex radiation field composed of various ion species with a broad range of energies. Such missions pose significant radiation protection challenges that need to be solved in order to minimize exposures and associated health risks. An innovative galactic cosmic ray simulator (GCRsim) was recently developed at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The GCRsim technology is intended to represent major components of the space radiation environment in a ground analog laboratory setting where it can be used to improve understanding of biological risks and serve as a testbed for countermeasure development and validation. The current GCRsim consists of 33 energetic ion beams that collectively simulate the primary and secondary GCR field encountered by humans in space over the broad range of particle types, energies, and linear energy transfer (LET) of interest to health effects. A virtual workshop was held in December 2020 to assess the status of the NASA baseline GCRsim. Workshop attendees examined various aspects of simulator design, with a particular emphasis on beam selection strategies. Experimental results, modeling approaches, areas of consensus, and questions of concern were also discussed in detail. This report includes a summary of the GCRsim workshop and a description of the current status of the GCRsim. This information is important for future advancements and applications in space radiobiology.

Clinical Trial in a Dish for Space Radiation Countermeasure Discovery

NASA aims to return humans to the moon within the next five years and to land humans on Mars in a few decades. Space radiation exposure represents a major challenge to astronauts' health during long-duration missions, as it is linked to increased risks of cancer, cardiovascular dysfunctions, central nervous system (CNS) impairment, and other negative outcomes. Characterization of radiation health effects and developing corresponding countermeasures are high priorities for the preparation of long duration space travel. Due to limitations of animal and cell models, the development of novel physiologically relevant radiation models is needed to better predict these individual risks and bridge gaps between preclinical testing and clinical trials in drug development. "Clinical Trial in a Dish" (CTiD) is now possible with the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), offering a powerful tool for drug safety or efficacy testing using patient-specific cell models. Here we review the development and applications of CTiD for space radiation biology and countermeasure studies, focusing on progress made in the past decade.

Geometrical Properties of the Nucleus and Chromosome Intermingling Are Possible Major Parameters of Chromosome Aberration Formation

Ionizing radiation causes chromosome aberrations, which are possible biomarkers to assess space radiation cancer risks. Using the Monte Carlo codes Relativistic Ion Tracks (RITRACKS) and Radiation-Induced Tracks, Chromosome Aberrations, Repair and Damage (RITCARD), we investigated how geometrical properties of the cell nucleus, irradiated with ion beams of linear energy transfer (LET) ranging from 0.22 keV/μm to 195 keV/μm, influence the yield of simple and complex exchanges. We focused on the effect of (1) nuclear volume by considering spherical nuclei of varying radii; (2) nuclear shape by considering ellipsoidal nuclei of varying thicknesses; (3) beam orientation; and (4) chromosome intermingling by constraining or not constraining chromosomes in non-overlapping domains. In general, small nuclear volumes yield a higher number of complex exchanges, as compared to larger nuclear volumes, and a higher number of simple exchanges for LET < 40 keV/μm. Nuclear flattening reduces complex exchanges for high-LET beams when irradiated along the flattened axis. The beam orientation also affects yields for ellipsoidal nuclei. Reducing chromosome intermingling decreases both simple and complex exchanges. Our results suggest that the beam orientation, the geometry of the cell nucleus, and the organization of the chromosomes within are important parameters for the formation of aberrations that must be considered to model and translate in vitro results to in vivo risks.

A multi-detector experimental setup for the study of space radiation shielding materials: Measurement of secondary radiation behind thick shielding and assessment of its radiobiological effect

Space agencies have recognized the risks of astronauts’ exposure to space radiation and are developing complex model-based risk mitigation strategies. In the foundation of these models, there are still significant gaps of knowledge concerning nuclear fragmentation reactions which need to be addressed by ground-based experiments. There is a lack of data on neutron and light ion production by heavy ions, which are an important component of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). A research collaboration has been set up to characterize the secondary radiation field produced by GCR-like radiation provided by a particle accelerator in thick shielding. The aim is to develop a novel method for producing high-quality experimental data on neutron and light ion production in shielding materials relevant for space radiation protection. Four complementary detector systems are used to determine the energy and angular distributions of high-energy secondary neutrons and light ions. In addition to the physical measurement approach, the biological effectiveness of the secondary radiation field is determined by measuring chromosome aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes placed behind the shielding. The experiments are performed at the heavy ion

Impact of Radiation Quality on Microdosimetry and Chromosome Aberrations for High-Energy (>250 MeV/n) Ions

Studying energy deposition by space radiation at the cellular scale provides insights on health risks to astronauts. Using the Monte Carlo track structure code RITRACKS, and the chromosome aberrations code RITCARD, we performed a modeling study of single-ion energy deposition spectra and chromosome aberrations for high-energy (>250 MeV/n) ion beams with linear energy transfer (LET) varying from 0.22 to 149.2 keV/µm. The calculations were performed using cells irradiated directly by mono-energetic ion beams, and by poly-energetic beams after particle transport in a digital mouse model, representing the radiation exposure of a cell in a tissue. To discriminate events from ion tracks directly traversing the nucleus, to events from δ-electrons emitted by distant ion tracks, we categorized ion contributions to microdosimetry or chromosome aberrations into direct and indirect contributions, respectively. The ions were either ions of the mono-energetic beam or secondary ions created in the digital mouse due to interaction of the beam with tissues. For microdosimetry, the indirect contribution is largely independent of the beam LET and minimally impacted by the beam interactions in mice. In contrast, the direct contribution is strongly dependent on the beam LET and shows increased probabilities of having low and high-energy deposition events when considering beam transport. Regarding chromosome aberrations, the indirect contribution induces a small number of simple exchanges, and a negligible number of complex exchanges. The direct contribution is responsible for most simple and complex exchanges. The complex exchanges are significantly increased for some low-LET ion beams when considering beam transport.

Response of Arabidopsis thaliana and Mizuna Mustard Seeds to Simulated Space Radiation Exposures

One of the major concerns for long-term exploration missions beyond the Earth’s magnetosphere is consequences from exposures to solar particle event (SPE) protons and galactic cosmic rays (GCR). For long-term crewed Lunar and Mars explorations, the production of fresh food in space will provide both nutritional supplements and psychological benefits to the astronauts. However, the effects of space radiation on plants and plant propagules have not been sufficiently investigated and characterized. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two different compositions of charged particles-simulated GCR, and simulated SPE protons on dry and hydrated seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the crop plant Mizuna mustard [Brassica rapa var. japonica]. Exposures to charged particles, simulated GCRs (up to 80 cGy) or SPEs (up to 200 cGy), were performed either acutely or at a low dose rate using the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) facility at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). Control and irradiated seeds were planted in a solid phytogel and grown in a controlled environment. Five to seven days after planting, morphological parameters were measured to evaluate radiation-induced damage in the seedlings. After exposure to single types of charged particles, as well as to simulated GCR, the hydrated Arabidopsis seeds showed dose- and quality-dependent responses, with heavier ions causing more severe defects. Seeds exposed to simulated GCR (dry seeds) and SPE (hydrated seeds) had significant, although much less damage than seeds exposed to heavier and higher linear energy transfer (LET) particles. In general, the extent of damage depends on the seed type.

Simultaneous Exposure of Cultured Human Lymphoblastic Cells to Simulated Microgravity and Radiation Increases Chromosome Aberrations

During space travel, humans are continuously exposed to two major environmental stresses, microgravity (μG) and space radiation. One of the fundamental questions is whether the two stressors are interactive. For over half a century, many studies were carried out in space, as well as using devices that simulated μG on the ground to investigate gravity effects on cells and organisms, and we have gained insights into how living organisms respond to μG. However, our knowledge on how to assess and manage human health risks in long-term mission to the Moon or Mars is drastically limited. For example, little information is available on how cells respond to simultaneous exposure to space radiation and μG. In this study, we analyzed the frequencies of chromosome aberrations (CA) in cultured human lymphoblastic TK6 cells exposed to X-ray or carbon ion under the simulated μG conditions. A higher frequency of both simple and complex types of CA were observed in cells exposed to radiation and μG simultaneously compared to CA frequency in cells exposed to radiation only. Our study shows that the dose response data on space radiation obtained at the 1G condition could lead to the underestimation of astronauts' potential risk for health deterioration, including cancer. This study also emphasizes the importance of obtaining data on the molecular and cellular responses to irradiation under μG conditions.