1
|
Dong M, Chen M, Zhang Y, He X, Min J, Tan Y, Wei H, Li X, Chen X, Zheng L, Yin Q, Li X, Chen H, Jiang H. Oscillatory shear stress promotes endothelial senescence and atherosclerosis via STING activation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 715:149979. [PMID: 38678779 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149979] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is an initiating factor in atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly subject to blood flow shear stress, and atherosclerotic plaques tend to occur in aortic bends or bifurcations impaired by low oscillatory shear stress (OSS). However, the mechanism that how OSS affects the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis remains to be explored. Here, we first reported that OSS can promote endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis in vivo and in vitro by activating STING pathway. Mechanistically, at atherosclerosis-prone areas, OSS caused mitochondria damage in ECs, leading to the leakage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic mtDNA was recognized by cGAS to produce cGAMP, activating the STING pathway and leading to endothelial senescence, which resulted in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We found that STING was activated in plaques of atherosclerotic patients and in aortic arch ECs of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoeKO mice, as well as in ECs exposed to OSS. STING-specific deficiency in ECs attenuates endothelial senescence and resulted in a significant reduction in aortic arch plaque area in HFD-fed ApoeKO mice. Consistently, specific deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of STING attenuated OSS-induced senescence and endothelial dysfunction. Pharmacological depletion of mtDNA ameliorated OSS-induced senescence and endothelial dysfunction. Taken together, our study linked hemodynamics and endothelial senescence, and revealed a novel mechanism by which OSS leads to endothelial dysfunction. Our study provided new insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for endothelial senescence and atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengdie Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Minghong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yunjia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xian He
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiao Min
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yongkang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Huiyuan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Longbin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Quanwen Yin
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xuesong Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hongshan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Hong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li X, Chen X, Zheng L, Chen M, Zhang Y, Zhu R, Chen J, Gu J, Yin Q, Jiang H, Wu X, Ji X, Tang X, Dong M, Li Q, Gao Y, Chen H. Non-canonical STING-PERK pathway dependent epigenetic regulation of vascular endothelial dysfunction via integrating IRF3 and NF- κB in inflammatory response. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4765-4784. [PMID: 38045042 PMCID: PMC10692388 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction is the major initiating factor in atherosclerosis, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was significantly activated in both human and mice atherosclerotic arteries. Typically, STING activation leads to the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65, thereby facilitating IFN signals and inflammation. In contrast, our study reveals the activated non-canonical STING-PERK pathway increases scaffold protein bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) expression, which encourages the formation of super-enhancers on the proximal promoter regions of the proinflammatory cytokines, thereby enabling the transactivation of these cytokines by integrating activated IRF3 and NF-κB via a condensation process. Endothelium-specific STING and BRD4 deficiency significantly decreased the plaque area and inflammation. Mechanistically, this pathway is triggered by leaked mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), formed by voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) oligomer interaction with oxidized mtDNA upon cholesterol oxidation stimulation. Especially, compared to macrophages, endothelial STING activation plays a more pronounced role in atherosclerosis. We propose a non-canonical STING-PERK pathway-dependent epigenetic paradigm in atherosclerosis that integrates IRF3, NF-κB and BRD4 in inflammatory responses, which provides emerging therapeutic modalities for vascular endothelial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Longbin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Minghong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yunjia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ruigong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiajing Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jiaming Gu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Quanwen Yin
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xian Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Mengdie Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qingguo Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuanqing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hongshan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Cardiology, Huai'an First People's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223399, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nowak P, Bil-Lula I, Śliwińska-Mossoń M. A Cross-Talk about Radioresistance in Lung Cancer-How to Improve Radiosensitivity According to Chinese Medicine and Medicaments That Commonly Occur in Pharmacies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11206. [PMID: 37446385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the population and is characterized by non-specific symptoms that delay the diagnosis and reduce the effectiveness of oncological treatment. Due to the difficult placement of the tumor, one of the main methods of lung cancer treatment is radiotherapy, which damages the DNA of cancer cells, inducing their apoptosis. However, resistance to ionizing radiation may develop during radiotherapy cycles, leading to an increase in the number of DNA points of control that protect cells from apoptosis. Cancer stem cells are essential for radioresistance, and due to their ability to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition, they modify the phenotype, bypassing the genotoxic effect of radiotherapy. It is therefore necessary to search for new methods that could improve the cytotoxic effect of cells through new mechanisms of action. Chinese medicine, with several thousand years of tradition, offers a wide range of possibilities in the search for compounds that could be used in conventional medicine. This review introduces the potential candidates that may present a radiosensitizing effect on lung cancer cells, breaking their radioresistance. Additionally, it includes candidates taken from conventional medicine-drugs commonly available in pharmacies, which may also be significant candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Nowak
- Scientific Club of Specialized Biological Analyzes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bil-Lula
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Hematology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mariola Śliwińska-Mossoń
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Hematology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Uruski P, Matuszewska J, Leśniewska A, Rychlewski D, Niklas A, Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Tykarski A, Książek K. An integrative review of nonobvious puzzles of cellular and molecular cardiooncology. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:44. [PMID: 37221467 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncologic patients are subjected to four major treatment types: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. All nonsurgical forms of cancer management are known to potentially violate the structural and functional integrity of the cardiovascular system. The prevalence and severity of cardiotoxicity and vascular abnormalities led to the emergence of a clinical subdiscipline, called cardiooncology. This relatively new, but rapidly expanding area of knowledge, primarily focuses on clinical observations linking the adverse effects of cancer therapy with deteriorated quality of life of cancer survivors and their increased morbidity and mortality. Cellular and molecular determinants of these relations are far less understood, mainly because of several unsolved paths and contradicting findings in the literature. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view of the cellular and molecular etiology of cardiooncology. We pay particular attention to various intracellular processes that arise in cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells treated in experimentally-controlled conditions in vitro and in vivo with ionizing radiation and drugs representing diverse modes of anti-cancer activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Uruski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia Matuszewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Leśniewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Daniel Rychlewski
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Niklas
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Tykarski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sharma GP, Himburg HA. Organ-Specific Endothelial Dysfunction Following Total Body Irradiation Exposure. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10120747. [PMID: 36548580 PMCID: PMC9781710 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10120747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
As the single cell lining of the heart and all blood vessels, the vascular endothelium serves a critical role in maintaining homeostasis via control of vascular tone, immune cell recruitment, and macromolecular transit. For victims of acute high-dose radiation exposure, damage to the vascular endothelium may exacerbate the pathogenesis of acute and delayed multi-organ radiation toxicities. While commonalities exist between radiation-induced endothelial dysfunction in radiosensitive organs, the vascular endothelium is known to be highly heterogeneous as it is required to serve tissue and organ specific roles. In keeping with its organ and tissue specific functionality, the molecular and cellular response of the endothelium to radiation injury varies by organ. Therefore, in the development of medical countermeasures for multi-organ injury, it is necessary to consider organ and tissue-specific endothelial responses to both injury and candidate mitigators. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction following total or near total body irradiation exposure at the level of individual radiosensitive organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guru Prasad Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Heather A. Himburg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(414)-955-4676
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cao X, Weil MM, Wu JC. Clinical Trial in a Dish for Space Radiation Countermeasure Discovery. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:140-149. [PMID: 36336359 PMCID: PMC10947779 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Cao
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael M Weil
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Melin N, Yarahmadov T, Sanchez-Taltavull D, Birrer FE, Brodie TM, Petit B, Felser A, Nuoffer JM, Montani M, Vozenin MC, Herrmann E, Candinas D, Aebersold DM, Stroka D. A new mouse model of radiation-induced liver disease reveals mitochondrial dysfunction as an underlying fibrotic stimulus. JHEP REPORTS : INNOVATION IN HEPATOLOGY 2022; 4:100508. [PMID: 35712694 PMCID: PMC9192810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
8
|
Hu L, Chen H, Zhang X, Feng Z, Zhang H, Meng Q. Rosiglitazone ameliorates radiation-induced intestinal inflammation in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and TNF-α production. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2021; 61:842-850. [PMID: 32876675 PMCID: PMC7674707 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rraa062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-induced acute intestinal injury is a common and serious occurrence following abdominal and pelvic irradiation. The Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-dependant inflammasome and inflammation activation is crucial in this process. In a pre-experimental design of radiation-induced intestinal injury, we found that rosiglitazone inhibited caspase-1 which is a key marker of inflammasome activation. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone on the NLRP3 inflammasome both in vivo and in vitro. Radiation-induced intestinal injury after rosiglitazone treatment, and the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), caspase-1 and NLRP3 in a radiation-induced intestinal injury model in a rat and macrophages were observed. We found that rosiglitazone ameliorated radiation-induced intestinal injury in rats by suppressing the expression of caspase-1, NLRP3, IL-1β and TNF-α. Treatment with rosiglitazone in vitro reduced the expression of NLRP3, and the NLRP3 activator monosodium urate (MSU) reversed the inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α by rosiglitazone in macrophages. MSU reversed the protective effect of rosiglitazone on radiation-induced intestinal injury in rats by reversing the rosiglitazone-induced inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α. Taken together, these findings indicate that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist, rosiglitazone, ameliorates radiation-induced intestine inflammation in rats via inhibiting the induction of the NLRP3-dependent inflammasome in macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liqiong Hu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit of Guangzhou Red Cross hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 51000, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | | | - Zhencheng Feng
- Guangzhou institute of traumatic surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 51000, China
| | - Qingqi Meng
- Guangzhou institute of traumatic surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mechanisms of radiation-induced endothelium damage: Emerging models and technologies. Radiother Oncol 2021; 158:21-32. [PMID: 33581220 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Radiation-induced endothelial/vascular injury is a major complicating factor in radiotherapy and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in nuclear or radiological catastrophes. Exposure of tissue to ionizing radiation (IR) leads to the release of oxygen radicals and proteases that result in loss of endothelial barrier function and leukocyte dysfunction leading to tissue injury and organ damage. Microvascular endothelial cells are particularly sensitive to IR and radiation-induced alterations in endothelial cell function are thought to be a critical factor in organ damage through endothelial cell activation, enhanced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, increased barrier permeability and initiation of apoptotic pathways. These radiation-induced inflammatory responses are important in early and late radiation pathologies in various organs. A better understanding of mechanisms of radiation-induced endothelium dysfunction is therefore vital, as radiobiological response of endothelium is of major importance for medical management and therapeutic development for radiation injuries. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced endothelium damage and their impact on early and late radiation injury. Furthermore, we review established and emerging in vivo and in vitro models that have been developed to study the mechanisms of radiation-induced endothelium damage and to design, develop and rapidly screen therapeutics for treatment of radiation-induced vascular damage. Currently there are no specific therapeutics available to protect against radiation-induced loss of endothelial barrier function, leukocyte dysfunction and resulting organ damage. Developing therapeutics to prevent endothelium dysfunction and normal tissue damage during radiotherapy can serve as the urgently needed medical countermeasures.
Collapse
|