1
|
Craenen K, Verslegers M, Callaerts-Vegh Z, Craeghs L, Buset J, Govaerts K, Neefs M, Gsell W, Baatout S, D'Hooge R, Himmelreich U, Moons L, Benotmane MA. Folic Acid Fortification Prevents Morphological and Behavioral Consequences of X-Ray Exposure During Neurulation. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:609660. [PMID: 33488367 PMCID: PMC7820780 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.609660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggested a causal link between pre-natal exposure to ionizing radiation and birth defects such as microphthalmos and exencephaly. In mice, these defects arise primarily after high-dose X-irradiation during early neurulation. However, the impact of sublethal (low) X-ray doses during this early developmental time window on adult behavior and morphology of central nervous system structures is not known. In addition, the efficacy of folic acid (FA) in preventing radiation-induced birth defects and persistent radiation-induced anomalies has remained unexplored. To assess the efficacy of FA in preventing radiation-induced defects, pregnant C57BL6/J mice were X-irradiated at embryonic day (E)7.5 and were fed FA-fortified food. FA partially prevented radiation-induced (1.0 Gy) anophthalmos, exencephaly and gastroschisis at E18, and reduced the number of pre-natal deaths, fetal weight loss and defects in the cervical vertebrae resulting from irradiation. Furthermore, FA food fortification counteracted radiation-induced impairments in vision and olfaction, which were evidenced after exposure to doses ≥0.1 Gy. These findings coincided with the observation of a reduction in thickness of the retinal ganglion cell and nerve fiber layer, and a decreased axial length of the eye following exposure to 0.5 Gy. Finally, MRI studies revealed a volumetric decrease of the hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, midbrain and pons following 0.5 Gy irradiation, which could be partially ameliorated after FA food fortification. Altogether, our study is the first to offer detailed insights into the long-term consequences of X-ray exposure during neurulation, and supports the use of FA as a radioprotectant and antiteratogen to counter the detrimental effects of X-ray exposure during this crucial period of gestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Craenen
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
| | - Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Livine Craeghs
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jasmine Buset
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
| | - Kristof Govaerts
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mieke Neefs
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
| | - Willy Gsell
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
| | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohammed Abderrafi Benotmane
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie; Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire), Mol, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Craenen K, Verslegers M, Buset J, Baatout S, Moons L, Benotmane MA. A detailed characterization of congenital defects and mortality following moderate X-ray doses during neurulation. Birth Defects Res 2017; 110:467-482. [PMID: 29193908 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both epidemiological and animal studies have previously indicated a link between in utero radiation exposure and birth defects such as microphthalmos, anophthalmos, and exencephaly. However, detailed knowledge on embryonic radiosensitivity during different stages of neurulation is limited, especially in terms of neural tube defect and eye defect development. METHODS To assess the most radiosensitive stage during neurulation, pregnant C57BL6/J mice were X-irradiated (0.5 Gy or 1.0 Gy) at embryonic days (E)7, E7.5, E8, E8.5, or E9. Next, the fetuses were scored macroscopically for various defects and prenatal resorptions/deaths were counted. In addition, cranial skeletal development was ascertained using the alcian-alizarin method. Furthermore, postnatal/young adult survival was followed until 5 weeks (W5) of age, after X-irradiation at E7.5 (0.1 Gy, 0.5 Gy, or 1.0 Gy). In addition, body and brain weights were registered at adult age (W10) following X-ray exposure at E7.5 (0.1 Gy, 0.5 Gy). RESULTS Several malformations, including microphthalmos and exencephaly, were most evident after irradiation at E7.5, with significance starting respectively at 0.5 Gy and 1.0 Gy. Prenatal mortality and weight were significantly affected in all irradiated groups. Long-term follow-up of E7.5 irradiated animals revealed a reduction in survival at 5 weeks of age after high dose exposure (1.0 Gy), while lower doses (0.5 Gy, 0.1 Gy) did not affect brain and body weight at postnatal week 10. CONCLUSIONS With this study, we gained more insight in radiosensitivity throughout neurulation, and offered a better defined model to further study radiation-induced malformations and the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Craenen
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61 bus 2464, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Jasmine Buset
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61 bus 2464, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mohammed Abderrafi Benotmane
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|