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Christy BA, Herzig MC, Wu X, Mohammadipoor A, McDaniel JS, Bynum JA. Cell Therapies for Acute Radiation Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6973. [PMID: 39000080 PMCID: PMC11241804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The risks of severe ionizing radiation exposure are increasing due to the involvement of nuclear powers in combat operations, the increasing use of nuclear power, and the existence of terrorist threats. Exposure to a whole-body radiation dose above about 0.7 Gy results in H-ARS (hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome), which is characterized by damage to the hematopoietic system; higher doses result in further damage to the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Only a few medical countermeasures for ARS are currently available and approved for use, although others are in development. Cell therapies (cells or products produced by cells) are complex therapeutics that show promise for the treatment of radiation injury and have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in animal models. Since clinical trials for ARS cannot be ethically conducted, animal testing is extremely important. Here, we describe cell therapies that have been tested in animal models. Both cells and cell products appear to promote survival and lessen tissue damage after whole-body irradiation, although the mechanisms are not clear. Because radiation exposure often occurs in conjunction with other traumatic injuries, animal models of combined injury involving radiation and future countermeasure testing for these complex medical problems are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Christy
- Blood and Shock Resuscitation, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Maryanne C Herzig
- Blood and Shock Resuscitation, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Xiaowu Wu
- Blood and Shock Resuscitation, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Arezoo Mohammadipoor
- Hemorrhage and Vascular Dysfunction, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Jennifer S McDaniel
- Blood and Shock Resuscitation, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - James A Bynum
- Blood and Shock Resuscitation, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
- Department of Surgery, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Trauma Research and Combat Casualty Care Collaborative, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Vercellino J, Małachowska B, Kulkarni S, Bell BI, Shajahan S, Shinoda K, Eichenbaum G, Verma AK, Ghosh SP, Yang WL, Frenette PS, Guha C. Thrombopoietin mimetic stimulates bone marrow vascular and stromal niches to mitigate acute radiation syndrome. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:123. [PMID: 38679747 PMCID: PMC11057170 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03734-z] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) manifests after exposure to high doses of radiation in the instances of radiologic accidents or incidents. Facilitating regeneration of the bone marrow (BM), namely the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), is key in mitigating ARS and multi-organ failure. JNJ-26366821, a PEGylated thrombopoietin mimetic (TPOm) peptide, has been shown as an effective medical countermeasure (MCM) to treat hematopoietic-ARS (H-ARS) in mice. However, the activity of TPOm on regulating BM vascular and stromal niches to support HSPC regeneration has yet to be elucidated. METHODS C57BL/6J mice (9-14 weeks old) received sublethal or lethal total body irradiation (TBI), a model for H-ARS, by 137Cs or X-rays. At 24 h post-irradiation, mice were subcutaneously injected with a single dose of TPOm (0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg) or PBS (vehicle). At homeostasis and on days 4, 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 post-TBI with and without TPOm treatment, BM was harvested for histology, BM flow cytometry of HSPCs, endothelial (EC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), and whole-mount confocal microscopy. For survival, irradiated mice were monitored and weighed for 30 days. Lastly, BM triple negative cells (TNC; CD45-, TER-119-, CD31-) were sorted for single-cell RNA-sequencing to examine transcriptomics after TBI with or without TPOm treatment. RESULTS At homeostasis, TPOm expanded the number of circulating platelets and HSPCs, ECs, and MSCs in the BM. Following sublethal TBI, TPOm improved BM architecture and promoted recovery of HSPCs, ECs, and MSCs. Furthermore, TPOm elevated VEGF-C levels in normal and irradiated mice. Following lethal irradiation, mice improved body weight recovery and 30-day survival when treated with TPOm after 137Cs and X-ray exposure. Additionally, TPOm reduced vascular dilation and permeability. Finally, single-cell RNA-seq analysis indicated that TPOm increased the expression of collagens in MSCs to enhance their interaction with other progenitors in BM and upregulated the regeneration pathway in MSCs. CONCLUSIONS TPOm interacts with BM vascular and stromal niches to locally support hematopoietic reconstitution and systemically improve survival in mice after TBI. Therefore, this work warrants the development of TPOm as a potent radiation MCM for the treatment of ARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Vercellino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Beata Małachowska
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Shilpa Kulkarni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brett I Bell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Shahin Shajahan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Kosaku Shinoda
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Gary Eichenbaum
- Johnson & Johnson, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Bioconvergent Health, LLC, Purchase, NY, USA
| | - Amit K Verma
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sanchita P Ghosh
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Weng-Lang Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Paul S Frenette
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Chandan Guha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Bioconvergent Health, LLC, Purchase, NY, USA.
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Vercellino J, Małachowska B, Kulkarni S, Bell BI, Shajahan S, Shinoda K, Eichenbaum G, Verma AK, Ghosh SP, Yang WL, Frenette PS, Guha C. Thrombopoietin mimetic stimulates bone marrow vascular and stromal niches to mitigate acute radiation syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3946910. [PMID: 38463959 PMCID: PMC10925435 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3946910/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) manifests after exposure to high doses of radiation in the instances of radiologic accidents or incidents. Facilitating the regeneration of the bone marrow (BM), namely the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), is a key in mitigating ARS and multi-organ failure. JNJ-26366821, a PEGylated thrombopoietin mimetic (TPOm) peptide, has been shown as an effective medical countermeasure (MCM) to treat hematopoietic-ARS (H-ARS) in mice. However, the activity of TPOm on regulating BM vascular and stromal niches to support HSPC regeneration has not yet been elucidated. Methods C57BL/6J mice (9-14 weeks old) received sublethal or lethal total body irradiation (TBI), a model for H-ARS, by 137Cs or X-rays. At 24 hours post-irradiation, mice were subcutaneously injected with a single dose of TPOm (0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg) or PBS (vehicle). At homeostasis and on days 4, 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 post-TBI with and without TPOm treatment, BM was harvested for histology, BM flow cytometry of HSPCs, endothelial (EC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), and whole-mount confocal microscopy. For survival, irradiated mice were monitored and weighed for 30 days. Lastly, BM triple negative cells (TNC; CD45-, TER-119-, CD31-) were sorted for single-cell RNA-sequencing to examine transcriptomics after TBI with or without TPOm treatment. Results At homeostasis, TPOm expanded the number of circulating platelets and HSPCs, ECs, and MSCs in the BM. Following sublethal TBI, TPOm improved BM architecture and promoted recovery of HSPCs, ECs, and MSCs. Furthermore, TPOm elevated VEGF-C levels in normal and irradiated mice. Following lethal irradiation, mice improved body weight recovery and 30-day survival when treated with TPOm after 137Cs and X-ray exposure. Additionally, TPOm reduced vascular dilation and permeability. Finally, single-cell RNA-seq analysis indicated that TPOm increased the expression of collagens in MSCs to enhance their interaction with other progenitors in BM and upregulated the regeneration pathway in MSCs. Conclusions TPOm interacts with BM vascular and stromal niches to locally support hematopoietic reconstitution and systemically improve survival in mice after TBI. Therefore, this work warrants the development of TPOm as a potent radiation MCM for the treatment of ARS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shilpa Kulkarni
- NIAID: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Drishya S, Dhanisha SS, Raghukumar P, Guruvayoorappan C. Amomum subulatum fruits protect against radiation-induced esophagitis by regulating antioxidant status and inflammatory responses. Food Res Int 2023; 174:113582. [PMID: 37986451 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Radiation esophagitis (RE) is an inimical event that requires proper management while carrying out radiotherapy for thoracic cancers. The present study investigates the protective effect of dry fruits of the culinary and folkloric spice Amomum subulatum against experimental thoracic radiation-induced esophagitis. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 25 Gy whole thorax irradiation and administered with 250 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of A. subulatum dry fruits (MEAS) orally for four consecutive weeks. Changes in tissue antioxidant activities, oxidative stress parameters, expression of antioxidant, inflammation, and fibrosis-related genes were observed. Administration of MEAS boosted antioxidant status, thereby reducing radiation-induced oxidative stress in the esophagus. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) results showed decreased expression of apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis-associated genes as well as increased expression of vital cytoprotective and antioxidant genes in MEAS-treated mice, manifesting its protective effect against radiation-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and fibrosis in the esophagus. Further, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (Cyclooxygenase-2), and Masson's Trichrome staining ascertained the protective effect of MEAS in alleviating radiation-induced esophageal injury. The synergistic effect of bioactive phytochemicals in MEAS with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies might have contributed to its mitigating effect against RE. Taken together, our results ascertained the radioprotective potential of MEAS, suggesting its possible nutraceutical application as a radiation countermeasure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarsanan Drishya
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus (Research Centre, University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
| | - Suresh Sulekha Dhanisha
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus (Research Centre, University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India; Current affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham
| | - Paramu Raghukumar
- Division of Radiation Physics, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
| | - Chandrasekharan Guruvayoorappan
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus (Research Centre, University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India.
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Shakyawar SK, Mishra NK, Vellichirammal NN, Cary L, Helikar T, Powers R, Oberley-Deegan RE, Berkowitz DB, Bayles KW, Singh VK, Guda C. A Review of Radiation-Induced Alterations of Multi-Omic Profiles, Radiation Injury Biomarkers, and Countermeasures. Radiat Res 2023; 199:89-111. [PMID: 36368026 PMCID: PMC10279411 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00187.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing utilization of nuclear power enhances the risks associated with industrial accidents, occupational hazards, and the threat of nuclear terrorism. Exposure to ionizing radiation interferes with genomic stability and gene expression resulting in the disruption of normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by inducing complex biological responses. Exposure to high-dose radiation causes acute radiation syndrome, which leads to hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cerebrovascular, and many other organ-specific injuries. Altered genomic variations, gene expression, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota profiles in blood plasma or tissue samples reflect the whole-body radiation injuries. Hence, multi-omic profiles obtained from high-resolution omics platforms offer a holistic approach for identifying reliable biomarkers to predict the radiation injury of organs and tissues resulting from radiation exposures. In this review, we performed a literature search to systematically catalog the radiation-induced alterations from multi-omic studies and radiation countermeasures. We covered radiation-induced changes in the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and microbiome profiles. Furthermore, we have covered promising multi-omic biomarkers, FDA-approved countermeasure drugs, and other radiation countermeasures that include radioprotectors and radiomitigators. This review presents an overview of radiation-induced alterations of multi-omics profiles and biomarkers, and associated radiation countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil K Shakyawar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nitish K Mishra
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Neetha N Vellichirammal
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Lynnette Cary
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Tomáš Helikar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
| | - Robert Powers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 68588, USA
| | - Rebecca E Oberley-Deegan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - David B Berkowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 65888, USA
| | - Kenneth W Bayles
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Vijay K Singh
- Division of Radioprotectants, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Schaue D, Micewicz ED, Ratikan JA, Iwamoto KS, Vlashi E, McDonald JT, McBride WH. NRF2 Mediates Cellular Resistance to Transformation, Radiation, and Inflammation in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1649. [PMID: 36139722 PMCID: PMC9495793 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is recognized as a master transcription factor that regulates expression of numerous detoxifying and antioxidant cytoprotective genes. In fact, models of NRF2 deficiency indicate roles not only in redox regulation, but also in metabolism, inflammatory/autoimmune disease, cancer, and radioresistancy. Since ionizing radiation (IR) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is not surprising it activates NRF2 pathways. However, unexpectedly, activation is often delayed for many days after the initial ROS burst. Here, we demonstrate that, as assayed by γ-H2AX staining, rapid DNA double strand break (DSB) formation by IR in primary mouse Nrf2-/- MEFs was not affected by loss of NRF2, and neither was DSB repair to any great extent. In spite of this, basal and IR-induced transformation was greatly enhanced, suggesting that NRF2 protects against late IR-induced genomic instability, at least in murine MEFs. Another possible IR- and NRF2-related event that could be altered is inflammation and NRF2 deficiency increased IR-induced NF-κB pro-inflammatory responses mostly late after exposure. The proclivity of NRF2 to restrain inflammation is also reflected in the reprogramming of tumor antigen-specific lymphocyte responses in mice where Nrf2 k.o. switches Th2 responses to Th1 polarity. Delayed NRF2 responses to IR may be critical for the immune transition from prooxidant inflammation to antioxidant healing as well as in driving cellular radioresistance and survival. Targeting NRF2 to reprogram immunity could be of considerable therapeutic benefit in radiation and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dörthe Schaue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA
| | - Ewa D. Micewicz
- Biotts S.A., Ul. Wrocławska 44C, 55-040 Bielany Wrocławskie, Poland
| | - Josephine A. Ratikan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA
| | - Keisuke S. Iwamoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA
| | - Erina Vlashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA
| | - J. Tyson McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - William H. McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA
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