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Zou Y, Wang L, Wen J, Cheng J, Li C, Hao Z, Zou J, Gao M, Li W, Wu J, Xie H, Liu J. Progress in biological and medical research in the deep underground: an update. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1249742. [PMID: 37637794 PMCID: PMC10447979 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1249742] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As the growing population of individuals residing or working in deep underground spaces for prolonged periods, it has become imperative to understand the influence of factors in the deep underground environment (DUGE) on living systems. Heping Xie has conceptualized the concept of deep underground medicine to identify factors in the DUGE that can have either detrimental or beneficial effects on human health. Over the past few years, an increasing number of studies have explored the molecular mechanisms that underlie the biological impacts of factors in the DUGE on model organisms and humans. Here, we present a summary of the present landscape of biological and medical research conducted in deep underground laboratories and propose promising avenues for future investigations in this field. Most research demonstrates that low background radiation can trigger a stress response and affect the growth, organelles, oxidative stress, defense capacity, and metabolism of cells. Studies show that residing and/or working in the DUGE has detrimental effects on human health. Employees working in deep mines suffer from intense discomfort caused by high temperature and humidity, which increase with depth, and experience fatigue and sleep disturbance. The negative impacts of the DUGE on human health may be induced by changes in the metabolism of specific amino acids; however, the cellular pathways remain to be elucidated. Biological and medical research must continue in deep underground laboratories and mines to guarantee the safe probing of uncharted depths as humans utilize the deep underground space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jirui Wen
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Can Li
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhizhen Hao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingzhong Gao
- College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weimin Li
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heping Xie
- College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Lowe D, Roy L, Tabocchini MA, Rühm W, Wakeford R, Woloschak GE, Laurier D. Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed? RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2022; 61:507-543. [PMID: 36241855 PMCID: PMC9630203 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00996-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research to understand the biological effects of ionising radiation, there is still much uncertainty over the role of dose rate. Motivated by a virtual workshop on the "Effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery" organised in November 2020 by the Multidisciplinary Low Dose Initiative (MELODI), here, we review studies to date exploring dose rate effects, highlighting significant findings, recent advances and to provide perspective and recommendations for requirements and direction of future work. A comprehensive range of studies is considered, including molecular, cellular, animal, and human studies, with a focus on low linear-energy-transfer radiation exposure. Limits and advantages of each type of study are discussed, and a focus is made on future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Lowe
- UK Health Security Agency, CRCE Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Laurence Roy
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Nazionale i Fisica Nucleare, Sezione i Roma, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
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3
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Wen Q, Zhou J, Sun X, Ma T, Liu Y, Xie Y, Wang L, Cheng J, Wen J, Wu J, Zou J, Liu S, Liu J. Urine metabolomics analysis of sleep quality in deep-underground miners: A pilot study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:969113. [PMID: 36062104 PMCID: PMC9437423 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.969113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In previous questionnaire surveys of miners, sleep disorders were found among underground workers. The influence of the special deep-underground environment and its potential mechanism are still unclear. Therefore, this study intends to utilize LC-MS metabolomics to study the potential differences between different environments and different sleep qualities. Methods Twenty-seven miners working at 645-1,500 m deep wells were investigated in this study, and 12 local ground volunteers were recruited as the control group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to examine and evaluate the sleep status of the subjects in the past month, and valuable basic information about the participants was collected. PSQI scores were obtained according to specific calculation rules, and the corresponding sleep grouping and subsequent analysis were carried out. Through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) non-targeted metabolomics analysis, differences in metabolism were found by bioinformatics analysis in different environments. Results Between the deep-underground and ground (DUvsG) group, 316 differential metabolites were identified and 125 differential metabolites were identified in the good sleep quality vs. poor sleep quality (GSQvsPSQ) group. The metabolic pathways of Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis (p = 0.0102) and D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism (p = 0.0241) were significantly enriched in DUvsG. For GSQvsPSQ group, Butanoate metabolism was statistically significant (p = 0.0276). L-Phenylalanine, L-Tyrosine and L-Glutamine were highly expressed in the deep-underground group. Acetoacetic acid was poorly expressed, and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid was highly expressed in good sleep quality. Conclusions The influence of the underground environment on the human body is more likely to induce specific amino acid metabolism processes, and regulate the sleep-wake state by promoting the production of excitatory neurotransmitters. The difference in sleep quality may be related to the enhancement of glycolytic metabolism, the increase in excitatory neurotransmitters and the activation of proinflammation. L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine and L-glutamine, Acetoacetic acid and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid may be potential biomarkers correspondingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Wen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoru Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yike Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jirui Wen
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shixi Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Shixi Liu
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Jifeng Liu
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4
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Porrazzo A, Esposito G, Grifoni D, Cenci G, Morciano P, Tabocchini MA. Reduced Environmental Dose Rates Are Responsible for the Increased Susceptibility to Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Larval Neuroblasts of Drosophila Grown inside the LNGS Underground Laboratory. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105472. [PMID: 35628279 PMCID: PMC9143493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A large amount of evidence from radiobiology studies carried out in Deep Underground Laboratories support the view that environmental radiation may trigger biological mechanisms that enable both simple and complex organisms to cope with genotoxic stress. In line with this, here we show that the reduced radiation background of the LNGS underground laboratory renders Drosophila neuroblasts more sensitive to ionizing radiation-induced (but not to spontaneous) DNA breaks compared to fruit flies kept at the external reference laboratory. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the ionizing radiation sensitivity of flies kept at the LNGS underground laboratory is rescued by increasing the underground gamma dose rate to levels comparable to the low-LET reference one. This finding provides the first direct evidence that the modulation of the DNA damage response in a complex multicellular organism is indeed dependent on the environmental dose rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Porrazzo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Centro Nazionale per le Tecnologie Innovative in Sanità Pubblica (TISP), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.E.); (P.M.)
| | - Daniela Grifoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Sanità Pubblica, Scienze Della Vita e Dell’ambiente, Università Dell’aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (G.C.)
- Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Istituto Pasteur, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Morciano
- Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS), INFN, Assergi, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.E.); (P.M.)
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Centro Nazionale per le Tecnologie Innovative in Sanità Pubblica (TISP), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
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5
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Review of the effect of reduced levels of background radiation on living organisms. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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6
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Castillo H, Winder J, Smith G. Chinese hamster V79 cells' dependence on background ionizing radiation for optimal growth. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2022; 61:49-57. [PMID: 34751828 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00951-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The study of depriving cells from background ionizing radiation for the past decades has provided valuable insights into its role in cellular homeostasis control. To explore the existence of such response in eukaryotic cells, we grew Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) V79 cells for 23 days using three different dose rates: 0.91 (below background), 35 (surface control) and 72 nGy h-1 (underground KCl-amended control). We did not observe a significant difference in cell number during the course of the experiment. However, cells grown at below background showed significantly lower viability compared to those grown at both control levels after 5 days of incubation and lasted, intermittently, for up to 21 days. We also observed a clear differentiation between the underground and the surface controls that could be explained by the variety of radiation sources present during cell growth under unshielded conditions. To explore the molecular mechanisms for these responses we performed transcriptome analysis on samples collected on days 2 and 5, but only samples from day 5 resulted in significant regulation. Gene enrichment analysis revealed two control-dependent general transcriptional responses. When compared the underground-KCl control, below-background cells showed the upregulation of processes intended for the response to drugs, metals and mechanical stimuli. In comparison, the response relative to the surface control was characterized by the upregulation of responses to organic substances and abiotic stimuli involved in the regulation of signaling, as well as to cell proliferation and homeostatic control of the number of cell processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Castillo
- Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA.
| | - Jeremy Winder
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Geoffrey Smith
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
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7
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Duan L, Jiang H, Liu J, Liu Y, Ma T, Xie Y, Wang L, Cheng J, Zou J, Wu J, Liu S, Gao M, Li W, Xie H. Whole Transcriptome Analysis Revealed a Stress Response to Deep Underground Environment Conditions in Chinese Hamster V79 Lung Fibroblast Cells. Front Genet 2021; 12:698046. [PMID: 34603371 PMCID: PMC8481809 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.698046] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Prior studies have shown that the proliferation of V79 lung fibroblast cells could be inhibited by low background radiation (LBR) in deep underground laboratory (DUGL). In the current study, we revealed further molecular changes by performing whole transcriptome analysis on the expression profiles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), circular RNA (circRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) in V79 cells cultured for two days in a DUGL. Methods: Whole transcriptome analysis including lncRNA, mRNAs, circ RNA and miRNA was performed in V79 cells cultured for two days in DUGL and above ground laboratory (AGL), respectively. The differentially expressed (DE) lncRNA, mRNA, circRNA, and miRNA in V79 cells were identified by the comparison between DUGL and AGL groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was conducted to verify the selected RNA sequencings. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was analyzed for the DE mRNAs which enabled to predict target genes of lncRNA and host genes of circRNA. Results: With |log2(Fold-change)| ≥ 1.0 and p < 0.05, a total of 1257 mRNAs (353 mRNAs up-regulated, 904 mRNAs down-regulated), 866 lncRNAs (145 lncRNAs up-regulated, 721 lncRNAs down-regulated), and 474 circRNAs (247 circRNAs up-regulated, 227 circRNAs down-regulated) were significantly altered between the two groups. There was no significant difference in miRNA between the two groups. The altered RNA profiles were mainly discovered in lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs. DE RNAs were involved in many pathways including ECM-RI, PI3K-Akt signaling, RNA transport and the cell cycle under the LBR stress of the deep underground environment. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the LBR in the DUGL could induce transcriptional repression, thus reducing metabolic process and reprogramming the overall gene expression profile in V79 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liju Duan
- Wangjiang Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yike Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shixi Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingzhong Gao
- College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heping Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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8
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Boyd A, Byrne S, Middleton RJ, Banati RB, Liu GJ. Control of Neuroinflammation through Radiation-Induced Microglial Changes. Cells 2021; 10:2381. [PMID: 34572030 PMCID: PMC8468704 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, play a pivotal role in the modulation of neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in many diseases of the CNS, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. It is well documented that microglial activation, initiated by a variety of stressors, can trigger a potentially destructive neuroinflammatory response via the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. However, the potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects that microglia are also thought to exhibit have been under-investigated. The application of ionising radiation at different doses and dose schedules may reveal novel methods for the control of microglial response to stressors, potentially highlighting avenues for treatment of neuroinflammation associated CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. There remains a need to characterise the response of microglia to radiation, particularly low dose ionising radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Boyd
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia; (A.B.); (S.B.); (R.J.M.); (R.B.B.)
| | - Sarah Byrne
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia; (A.B.); (S.B.); (R.J.M.); (R.B.B.)
| | - Ryan J. Middleton
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia; (A.B.); (S.B.); (R.J.M.); (R.B.B.)
| | - Richard B. Banati
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia; (A.B.); (S.B.); (R.J.M.); (R.B.B.)
- Discipline of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Guo-Jun Liu
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia; (A.B.); (S.B.); (R.J.M.); (R.B.B.)
- Discipline of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
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9
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Kennedy KJ, LeBlanc A, Pirkkanen J, Thome C, Tai TC, LeClair R, Boreham DR. DOSIMETRIC CHARACTERISATION OF A SUB-NATURAL BACKGROUND RADIATION ENVIRONMENT FOR RADIOBIOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2021; 195:114-123. [PMID: 34402520 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Living systems have evolved in the presence of naturally occurring ionising radiation. REPAIR is a research project investigating the biological effects of sub-natural background radiation exposure in SNOLAB, a deep-underground laboratory. Biological systems are being cultured within a sub-background environment as well as two control locations (underground and surface). A comprehensive dosimetric analysis was performed. GEANT4 simulation was used to characterise the contribution from gamma, muons and neutrons. Additionally, dose rates from radon, 40K and 14C were calculated based on measured activity concentrations. The total absorbed dose rate in the sub-background environment was 27 times lower than the surface control, at 2.48 ± 0.20 nGy hr-1, including a >400-fold reduction in the high linear energy transfer components. This modelling quantitatively confirms that the environment within SNOLAB provides a substantially reduced background radiation dose rate, thereby setting the stage for future sub-background biological studies using a variety of model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konnor J Kennedy
- Department of Physics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Alexandre LeBlanc
- Department of Physics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Jake Pirkkanen
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- Department of Physics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - T C Tai
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Robert LeClair
- Department of Physics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0, Canada
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10
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Tabocchini MA. A forty-year journey from "classical" biophysics and radiobiology to hadrontherapy, space radiation and low dose rate underground radiobiology. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:383-394. [PMID: 34259611 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1948142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE As a biologist who, since the beginning of her involvement in science, has collaborated closely with physicists, I want to share my forty years of experience describing the events that introduced me to the world of charged particle radiation biology as well as that of low doses/dose rates, with related implications in medicine and radiation protection. CONCLUSION The main features of my experience can be summarized in the development of an interdisciplinary culture and in the interest in technological advances for the study of biological responses to radiation in different scenarios, relevant for public health. Mine was a journey that began by chance, but which led me to a world that proved to be of great interest to me. With the current advances in science, the new generations of scientists have new opportunities that I wish them to face with the same interest and enthusiasm that I felt for such an interdisciplinary field as that of radiation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Rome, Italy.,Formerly: Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Rome, Italy
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11
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Pirkkanen J, Laframboise T, Liimatainen P, Sonley T, Stankiewicz S, Hood M, Obaid M, Zarnke A, Tai TC, Lees SJ, Boreham DR, Thome C. A novel specialized tissue culture incubator designed and engineered for radiobiology experiments in a sub-natural background radiation research environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 228:106512. [PMID: 33341751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive research has been conducted investigating the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems, including specific focus at low doses. However, at the surface of the planet, there is the ubiquitous presence of ionizing natural background radiation (NBR) from sources both terrestrial and cosmic. We are currently conducting radiobiological experiments examining the impacts of sub-NBR exposure within SNOLAB. SNOLAB is a deep underground research laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada located 2 km beneath the surface of the planet. At this depth, significant shielding of NBR components is provided by the rock overburden. Here, we describe a Specialized Tissue Culture Incubator (STCI) that was engineered to significantly reduce background ionizing radiation levels. The STCI was installed 2 km deep underground within SNOLAB. It was designed to allow precise control of experimental variables such as temperature, atmospheric gas composition and humidity. More importantly, the STCI was designed to reduce radiological contaminants present within the underground laboratory. Quantitative measurements validated the STCI is capable of maintaining an appropriate experimental environment for sub-NBR experiments. This included reduction of sub-surface radiological contaminants, most notably radon gas. The STCI presents a truly novel piece of infrastructure enabling future research into the effects of sub-NBR exposure in a highly unique laboratory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Pirkkanen
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Peter Liimatainen
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Tom Sonley
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Stephen Stankiewicz
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Mike Hood
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Mehwish Obaid
- SNOLAB, 1039 Regional Road 24, Creighton Mine #9, Lively, Ontario, P3Y 1N2, Canada
| | - Andrew Zarnke
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - T C Tai
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Simon J Lees
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada; Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Bruce Power, PO Box 1540, 177 Tie Road, Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0, Canada; Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada
| | - Christopher Thome
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada; Nuclear Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 384, 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin, Ontario, N0H 2C0, Canada.
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12
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Fischietti M, Fratini E, Verzella D, Vecchiotti D, Capece D, Di Francesco B, Esposito G, Balata M, Ioannuci L, Sykes P, Satta L, Zazzeroni F, Tessitore A, Tabocchini MA, Alesse E. Low Radiation Environment Switches the Overgrowth-Induced Cell Apoptosis Toward Autophagy. Front Public Health 2021; 8:594789. [PMID: 33520915 PMCID: PMC7841963 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.594789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Low radiation doses can affect and modulate cell responses to various stress stimuli, resulting in perturbations leading to resistance or sensitivity to damage. To explore possible mechanisms taking place at an environmental radiation exposure, we set-up twin biological models, one growing in a low radiation environment (LRE) laboratory at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, and one growing in a reference radiation environment (RRE) laboratory at the Italian National Health Institute (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS). Studies were performed on pKZ1 A11 mouse hybridoma cells, which are derived from the pKZ1 transgenic mouse model used to study the effects of low dose radiation, and focused on the analysis of cellular/molecular end-points, such as proliferation and expression of key proteins involved in stress response, apoptosis, and autophagy. Cells cultured up to 4 weeks in LRE showed no significant differences in proliferation rate compared to cells cultured in RRE. However, caspase-3 activation and PARP1 cleavage were observed in cells entering to an overgrowth state in RRE, indicating a triggering of apoptosis due to growth-stress conditions. Notably, in LRE conditions, cells responded to growth stress by switching toward autophagy. Interestingly, autophagic signaling induced by overgrowth in LRE correlated with activation of p53. Finally, the gamma component of environmental radiation did not significantly influence these biological responses since cells grown in LRE either in incubators with or without an iron shield did not modify their responses. Overall, in vitro data presented here suggest the hypothesis that environmental radiation contributes to the development and maintenance of balance and defense response in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafausta Fischietti
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Emiliano Fratini
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Superiore di Sanità, National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Verzella
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Davide Vecchiotti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daria Capece
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Barbara Di Francesco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Balata
- INFN-Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Assergi L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luca Ioannuci
- INFN-Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Assergi L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Pamela Sykes
- Flinders Center for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luigi Satta
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Zazzeroni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessitore
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Superiore di Sanità, National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Alesse
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
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13
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Esposito G, Anello P, Ampollini M, Bortolin E, De Angelis C, D'Imperio G, Dini V, Nuccetelli C, Quattrini MC, Tomei C, Ianni A, Balata M, Carinci G, Chiti M, Frasciello O, Cenci G, Cipressa F, De Gregorio A, Porrazzo A, Tabocchini MA, Satta L, Morciano P. Underground Radiobiology: A Perspective at Gran Sasso National Laboratory. Front Public Health 2020; 8:611146. [PMID: 33365298 PMCID: PMC7750398 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.611146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific community and institutions (e. g., ICRP) consider that the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, which extrapolates stochastic risk at low dose/low dose rate from the risk at moderate/high doses, provides a prudent basis for practical purposes of radiological protection. However, biological low dose/dose rate responses that challenge the LNT model have been highlighted and important dowels came from radiobiology studies conducted in Deep Underground Laboratories (DULs). These extreme ultra-low radiation environments are ideal locations to conduct below-background radiobiology experiments, interesting from basic and applied science. The INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) (Italy) is the site where most of the underground radiobiological data has been collected so far and where the first in vivo underground experiment was carried out using Drosophila melanogaster as model organism. Presently, many DULs around the world have implemented dedicated programs, meetings and proposals. The general message coming from studies conducted in DULs using protozoan, bacteria, mammalian cells and organisms (flies, worms, fishes) is that environmental radiation may trigger biological mechanisms that can increase the capability to cope against stress. However, several issues are still open, among them: the role of the quality of the radiation spectrum in modulating the biological response, the dependence on the biological endpoint and on the model system considered, the overall effect at organism level (detrimental or beneficial). At LNGS, we recently launched the RENOIR experiment aimed at improving knowledge on the environmental radiation spectrum and to investigate the specific role of the gamma component on the biological response of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Esposito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Giulia D'Imperio
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Dini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Nuccetelli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Tomei
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Ianni
- Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso-INFN, Assergi, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Balata
- Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso-INFN, Assergi, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy.,Museo storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
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14
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Liu J, Ma T, Gao M, Liu Y, Liu J, Wang S, Xie Y, Wen Q, Wang L, Cheng J, Liu S, Zou J, Wu J, Li W, Xie H. Proteomic Characterization of Proliferation Inhibition of Well-Differentiated Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Under Below-Background Radiation in a Deep Underground Environment. Front Public Health 2020; 8:584964. [PMID: 33194991 PMCID: PMC7661695 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.584964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There has been a considerable concern about cancer induction in response to radiation exposure. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on the biological effects of below-background radiation (BBR) in deep underground environments. To improve our understanding of the effects of BBR on cancer, we studied its biological impact on well-differentiated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells (FD-LSC-1) in a deep underground laboratory (DUGL). Methods: The growth curve, morphological, and quantitative proteomic experiments were performed on FD-LSC-1 cells cultured in the DUGL and above-ground laboratory (AGL). Results: The proliferation of FD-LSC-1 cells from the DUGL group was delayed compared to that of cells from the AGL group. Transmission electron microscopy scans of the cells from the DUGL group indicated the presence of hypertrophic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and a higher number of ER. At a cutoff of absolute fold change ≥ 1.2 and p < 0.05, 807 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs; 536 upregulated proteins and 271 downregulated proteins in the cells cultured in the DUGL) were detected. KEGG pathway analysis of these DAPs revealed that seven pathways were enriched. These included ribosome (p < 0.0001), spliceosome (p = 0.0001), oxidative phosphorylation (p = 0.0001), protein export (p = 0.0001), thermogenesis (p = 0.0003), protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (p = 0.0108), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (p = 0.0421). Conclusion: The BBR environment inhibited the proliferation of FD-LSC-1 cells. Additionally, it induced changes in protein expression associated with the ribosome, gene spliceosome, RNA transport, and energy metabolism among others. The changes in protein expression might form the molecular basis for proliferation inhibition and enhanced survivability of cells adapting to BBR exposure in a deep underground environment. RPL26, RPS27, ZMAT2, PRPF40A, SNRPD2, SLU7, SRSF5, SRSF3, SNRPF, WFS1, STT3B, CANX, ERP29, HSPA5, COX6B1, UQCRH, and ATP6V1G1 were the core proteins associated with the BBR stress response in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingzhong Gao
- College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shichao Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yike Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Wen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shixi Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weimin Li
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heping Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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15
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Yu H, Gao Y, Zhou R. Oxidative Stress From Exposure to the Underground Space Environment. Front Public Health 2020; 8:579634. [PMID: 33194980 PMCID: PMC7609794 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.579634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are a growing number of people entering underground spaces. However, underground spaces have unique environmental characteristics, and little is known about their effects on human health. It is crucial to elucidate the effects of the underground space environment on the health of humans and other organisms. This paper reviews the effects of hypoxia, toxic atmospheric particles, and low background radiation in the underground space environment on living organisms from the perspective of oxidative stress. Most studies have revealed that living organisms maintained in underground space environments exhibit obvious oxidative stress, which manifests as changes in oxidants, antioxidant enzyme activity, genetic damage, and even disease status. However, there are few relevant studies, and the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. There remains an urgent need to focus on the biological effects of other underground environmental factors on humans and other organisms as well as the underlying mechanisms. In addition, based on biological research, exploring means to protect humans and living organisms in underground environments is also essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbiao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University) of Ministry of Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, China
| | - Yijie Gao
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University) of Ministry of Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University) of Ministry of Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Van Voorhies WA, Castillo HA, Thawng CN, Smith GB. The Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Response of the Caenorhabditis elegans Nematode to Background and Below-Background Radiation Levels. Front Public Health 2020; 8:581796. [PMID: 33178665 PMCID: PMC7596186 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.581796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the biological effects of low-level and below-background radiation are important in understanding the potential effects of radiation exposure in humans. To study this issue we exposed the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to average background and below-background radiation levels. Two experiments were carried-out in the underground radiation biology laboratory at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico USA. The first experiment used naïve nematodes with data collected within 1 week of being placed underground. The second experiment used worms that were incubated for 8 months underground at below background radiation levels. Nematode eggs were placed in two incubators, one at low radiation (ca.15.6 nGy/hr) and one supplemented with 2 kg of natural KCl (ca. 67.4 nGy/hr). Phenotypic variables measured were: (1) egg hatching success (2) body size from larval development to adulthood, (3) developmental time from egg to egg laying adult, and (4) egg laying rate of young adult worms. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the first experiment on 72 h old adult worms. Within 72 h of being underground, there was a trend of increased egg-laying rate in the below-background radiation treatment. This trend became statistically significant in the group of worms exposed to below-background radiation for 8 months. Worms raised for 8 months in these shielded conditions also had significantly faster growth rates during larval development. Transcriptome analyses of 72-h old naïve nematode RNA showed significant differential expression of genes coding for sperm-related proteins and collagen production. In the below-background radiation group, the genes for major sperm protein (msp, 42% of total genes) and sperm-related proteins (7.5%) represented 49.5% of the total genes significantly up-regulated, while the majority of down-regulated genes were collagen (col, 37%) or cuticle-related (28%) genes. RT-qPCR analysis of target genes confirmed transcriptomic data. These results demonstrate that exposure to below-background radiation rapidly induces phenotypic and transcriptomic changes in C. elegans within 72 h of being brought underground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne A. Van Voorhies
- Molecular Biology Program and Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Hugo A. Castillo
- Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United States
| | - Cung N. Thawng
- Molecular Biology Program and Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Geoffrey B. Smith
- Molecular Biology Program and Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
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17
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Liu J, Ma T, Gao M, Liu Y, Liu J, Wang S, Xie Y, Wang L, Cheng J, Liu S, Zou J, Wu J, Li W, Xie H. Proteomics provides insights into the inhibition of Chinese hamster V79 cell proliferation in the deep underground environment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14921. [PMID: 32913333 PMCID: PMC7483447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As resources in the shallow depths of the earth exhausted, people will spend extended periods of time in the deep underground space. However, little is known about the deep underground environment affecting the health of organisms. Hence, we established both deep underground laboratory (DUGL) and above ground laboratory (AGL) to investigate the effect of environmental factors on organisms. Six environmental parameters were monitored in the DUGL and AGL. Growth curves were recorded and tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics analysis were performed to explore the proliferative ability and differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in V79 cells (a cell line widely used in biological study in DUGLs) cultured in the DUGL and AGL. Parallel Reaction Monitoring was conducted to verify the TMT results. γ ray dose rate showed the most detectable difference between the two laboratories, whereby γ ray dose rate was significantly lower in the DUGL compared to the AGL. V79 cell proliferation was slower in the DUGL. Quantitative proteomics detected 980 DAPs (absolute fold change ≥ 1.2, p < 0.05) between V79 cells cultured in the DUGL and AGL. Of these, 576 proteins were up-regulated and 404 proteins were down-regulated in V79 cells cultured in the DUGL. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that seven pathways (e.g. ribosome, RNA transport and oxidative phosphorylation) were significantly enriched. These data suggest that proliferation of V79 cells was inhibited in the DUGL, likely because cells were exposed to reduced background radiation. The apparent changes in the proteome profile may have induced cellular changes that delayed proliferation but enhanced survival, rendering V79 cells adaptable to the changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingzhong Gao
- College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
| | - Shichao Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yike Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shixi Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China.
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weimin Li
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heping Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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18
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Lampe N, Marin P, Coulon M, Micheau P, Maigne L, Sarramia D, Piquemal F, Incerti S, Biron DG, Ghio C, Sime-Ngando T, Hindre T, Breton V. Reducing the ionizing radiation background does not significantly affect the evolution of Escherichia coli populations over 500 generations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14891. [PMID: 31624294 PMCID: PMC6797783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Over millennia, life has been exposed to ionizing radiation from cosmic rays and natural radioisotopes. Biological experiments in underground laboratories have recently demonstrated that the contemporary terrestrial radiation background impacts the physiology of living organisms, yet the evolutionary consequences of this biological stress have not been investigated. Explaining the mechanisms that give rise to the results of underground biological experiments remains difficult, and it has been speculated that hereditary mechanisms may be involved. Here, we have used evolution experiments in standard and very low-radiation backgrounds to demonstrate that environmental ionizing radiation does not significantly impact the evolutionary trajectories of E. coli bacterial populations in a 500 generations evolution experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael Lampe
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre Marin
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marianne Coulon
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre Micheau
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Lydia Maigne
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David Sarramia
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fabrice Piquemal
- Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane, 1125 Route de Bardonèche, F-73500, Modane, France.,Université de Bordeaux, CNRS/IN2P3, CENBG, F-33170, Gradignan, France
| | - Sébastien Incerti
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS/IN2P3, CENBG, F-33170, Gradignan, France
| | - David G Biron
- CNRS UMR 6023, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement" (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Camille Ghio
- CNRS UMR 6023, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement" (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Télesphore Sime-Ngando
- CNRS UMR 6023, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement" (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Thomas Hindre
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, F-38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Vincent Breton
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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19
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Liu J, Ma T, Liu Y, Zou J, Gao M, Zhang R, Wu J, Liu S, Xie H. History, advancements, and perspective of biological research in deep-underground laboratories: A brief review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 120:207-214. [PMID: 30098554 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The world is entering a new era of exploring and exploiting the deep-underground space. With humans poised to reach historical depths in the use of the deep Earth, it is essential to understand the effect of the deep-underground environment on the health of humans and other living organisms. This article outlines the history and development of biological research conducted in deep-underground laboratories and provides insight into future areas of investigation. Many deep-underground laboratories have investigated the effects of reduced cosmic ray muons flux, searching for rare events such as proton decay, dark matter particles, or neutrino interactions, but few have focused on the influence of the environmental factors in the deep-underground on living organisms. Some studies revealed that prokaryote and eukaryote cells maintained in low levels of background radiation exhibited an stress response, which manifested as changes in cell growth, enzyme activity, and sensitivity to factors that cause genetic damage; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. There remains an urgent need to understand the detrimental and beneficial biological effects of low background radiation and other factors in the deep-underground on humans and other organisms. Consequently, a multidisciplinary approach to medical research in the deep-underground has been proposed, creating a new discipline, deep-underground medicine, and representing a historical milestone for exploring the deep Earth and in medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Liu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 55, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China.
| | - Mingzhong Gao
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, China.
| | - Ru Zhang
- College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China.
| | - Shixi Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China
| | - Heping Xie
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxuexiang, Chengdu, China; Institute of Deep Earth Science and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave, 3688 Shenzhen, China.
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20
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Morciano P, Cipressa F, Porrazzo A, Esposito G, Tabocchini MA, Cenci G. Fruit Flies Provide New Insights in Low-Radiation Background Biology at the INFN Underground Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS). Radiat Res 2018; 190:217-225. [PMID: 29863430 DOI: 10.1667/rr15083.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Deep underground laboratories (DULs) were originally created to host particle, astroparticle or nuclear physics experiments requiring a low-background environment with vastly reduced levels of cosmic-ray particle interference. More recently, the range of science projects requiring an underground experiment site has greatly expanded, thus leading to the recognition of DULs as truly multidisciplinary science sites that host important studies in several fields, including geology, geophysics, climate and environmental sciences, technology/instrumentation development and biology. So far, underground biology experiments are ongoing or planned in a few of the currently operating DULs. Among these DULs is the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), where the majority of radiobiological data have been collected. Here we provide a summary of the current scenario of DULs around the world, as well as the specific features of the LNGS and a summary of the results we obtained so far, together with other findings collected in different underground laboratories. In particular, we focus on the recent results from our studies of Drosophila melanogaster, which provide the first evidence of the influence of the radiation environment on life span, fertility and response to genotoxic stress at the organism level. Given the increasing interest in this field and the establishment of new projects, it is possible that in the near future more DULs will serve as sites of radiobiology experiments, thus providing further relevant biological information at extremely low-dose-rate radiation. Underground experiments can be nicely complemented with above-ground studies at increasing dose rate. A systematic study performed in different exposure scenarios provides a potential opportunity to address important radiation protection questions, such as the dose/dose-rate relationship for cancer and non-cancer risk, the possible existence of dose/dose-rate threshold(s) for different biological systems and/or end points and the possible role of radiation quality in triggering the biological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Morciano
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cipressa
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Porrazzo
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- b Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- b Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- a Dipartimento Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin", SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,c Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
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21
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Pirkkanen JS, Boreham DR, Mendonca MS. The CGL1 (HeLa × Normal Skin Fibroblast) Human Hybrid Cell Line: A History of Ionizing Radiation Induced Effects on Neoplastic Transformation and Novel Future Directions in SNOLAB. Radiat Res 2017; 188:512-524. [PMID: 28873027 DOI: 10.1667/rr14911.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cellular transformation assays have been utilized for many years as powerful in vitro methods for examining neoplastic transformation potential/frequency and mechanisms of carcinogenesis for both chemical and radiological carcinogens. These mouse and human cell based assays are labor intensive but do provide quantitative information on the numbers of neoplastically transformed foci produced after carcinogenic exposure and potential molecular mechanisms involved. Several mouse and human cell systems have been generated to undertake these studies, and they vary in experimental length and endpoint assessment. The CGL1 human cell hybrid neoplastic model is a non-tumorigenic pre-neoplastic cell that was derived from the fusion of HeLa cervical cancer cells and a normal human skin fibroblast. It has been utilized for the several decades to study the carcinogenic/neoplastic transformation potential of a variety of ionizing radiation doses, dose rates and radiation types, including UV, X ray, gamma ray, neutrons, protons and alpha particles. It is unique in that the CGL1 assay has a relatively short assay time of 18-21 days, and rather than relying on morphological endpoints to detect neoplastic transformation utilizes a simple staining method that detects the tumorigenic marker alkaline phosphatase on the neoplastically transformed cells cell surface. In addition to being of human origin, the CGL1 assay is able to detect and quantify the carcinogenic potential of very low doses of ionizing radiation (in the mGy range), and utilizes a neoplastic endpoint (re-expression of alkaline phosphatase) that can be detected on both viable and paraformaldehyde fixed cells. In this article, we review the history of the CGL1 neoplastic transformation model system from its initial development through the wide variety of studies examining the effects of all types of ionizing radiation on neoplastic transformation. In addition, we discuss the potential of the CGL1 model system to investigate the effects of near zero background radiation levels available within the radiation biology lab we have established in SNOLAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake S Pirkkanen
- a Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- a Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 2C6.,c Bruce Power, Tiverton, Ontario, Canada, N0G 2T0
| | - Marc S Mendonca
- d Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratories, and Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
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22
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Lampe N, Breton V, Sarramia D, Sime‐Ngando T, Biron DG. Understanding low radiation background biology through controlled evolution experiments. Evol Appl 2017; 10:658-666. [PMID: 28717386 PMCID: PMC5511359 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological experiments conducted in underground laboratories over the last decade have shown that life can respond to relatively small changes in the radiation background in unconventional ways. Rapid changes in cell growth, indicative of hormetic behaviour and long-term inheritable changes in antioxidant regulation have been observed in response to changes in the radiation background that should be almost undetectable to cells. Here, we summarize the recent body of underground experiments conducted to date, and outline potential mechanisms (such as cell signalling, DNA repair and antioxidant regulation) that could mediate the response of cells to low radiation backgrounds. We highlight how multigenerational studies drawing on methods well established in studying evolutionary biology are well suited for elucidating these mechanisms, especially given these changes may be mediated by epigenetic pathways. Controlled evolution experiments with model organisms, conducted in underground laboratories, can highlight the short- and long-term differences in how extremely low-dose radiation environments affect living systems, shining light on the extent to which epimutations caused by the radiation background propagate through the population. Such studies can provide a baseline for understanding the evolutionary responses of microorganisms to ionizing radiation, and provide clues for understanding the higher radiation environments around uranium mines and nuclear disaster zones, as well as those inside nuclear reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael Lampe
- Laboratoire de Physique CorpusculaireCNRS/IN2P3Université Clermont AuvergneClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Vincent Breton
- Laboratoire de Physique CorpusculaireCNRS/IN2P3Université Clermont AuvergneClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - David Sarramia
- Laboratoire de Physique CorpusculaireCNRS/IN2P3Université Clermont AuvergneClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Télesphore Sime‐Ngando
- Laboratoire Microorganismes Génome et EnvironnementUMR CNRS 6023Université Clermont AuvergneAubière CedexFrance
| | - David G. Biron
- Laboratoire Microorganismes Génome et EnvironnementUMR CNRS 6023Université Clermont AuvergneAubière CedexFrance
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23
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Thome C, Tharmalingam S, Pirkkanen J, Zarnke A, Laframboise T, Boreham DR. The REPAIR Project: Examining the Biological Impacts of Sub-Background Radiation Exposure within SNOLAB, a Deep Underground Laboratory. Radiat Res 2017; 188:470-474. [PMID: 28723273 DOI: 10.1667/rr14654.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been given to understanding the biological effects of low-dose ionizing radiation exposure at levels slightly above background. However, relatively few studies have been performed to examine the inverse, where natural background radiation is removed. The limited available data suggest that organisms exposed to sub-background radiation environments undergo reduced growth and an impaired capacity to repair genetic damage. Shielding from background radiation is inherently difficult due to high-energy cosmic radiation. SNOLAB, located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a unique facility for examining the effects of sub-background radiation exposure. Originally constructed for astroparticle physics research, the laboratory is located within an active nickel mine at a depth of over 2,000 m. The rock overburden provides shielding equivalent to 6,000 m of water, thereby almost completely eliminating cosmic radiation. Additional features of the facility help to reduce radiological contamination from the surrounding rock. We are currently establishing a biological research program within SNOLAB: Researching the Effects of the Presence and Absence of Ionizing Radiation (REPAIR project). We hypothesize that natural background radiation is essential for life and maintains genomic stability, and that prolonged exposure to sub-background radiation environments will be detrimental to biological systems. Using a combination of whole organism and cell culture model systems, the effects of exposure to a sub-background environment will be examined on growth and development, as well as markers of genomic damage, DNA repair capacity and oxidative stress. The results of this research will provide further insight into the biological effects of low-dose radiation exposure as well as elucidate some of the processes that may drive evolution and selection in living systems. This Radiation Research focus issue contains reviews and original articles, which relate to the presence or absence of low-dose ionizing radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Thome
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Jake Pirkkanen
- b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Andrew Zarnke
- b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Taylor Laframboise
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6
| | - Douglas R Boreham
- a Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,b Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, P3E 2C6.,c Bruce Power, Tiverton, Canada, N0G 2T0
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24
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Morciano P, Iorio R, Iovino D, Cipressa F, Esposito G, Porrazzo A, Satta L, Alesse E, Tabocchini MA, Cenci G. Effects of reduced natural background radiation on Drosophila melanogaster growth and development as revealed by the FLYINGLOW program. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:23-29. [PMID: 28262946 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural background radiation of Earth and cosmic rays played a relevant role during the evolution of living organisms. However, how chronic low doses of radiation can affect biological processes is still unclear. Previous data have indicated that cells grown at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory (LNGS, L'Aquila) of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) of Italy, where the dose rate of cosmic rays and neutrons is significantly reduced with respect to the external environment, elicited an impaired response against endogenous damage as compared to cells grown outside LNGS. This suggests that environmental radiation contributes to the development of defense mechanisms at cellular level. To further understand how environmental radiation affects metabolism of living organisms, we have recently launched the FLYINGLOW program that aims at exploiting Drosophila melanogaster as a model for evaluating the effects of low doses/dose rates of radiation at the organismal level. Here, we will present a comparative data set on lifespan, motility and fertility from different Drosophila strains grown in parallel at LNGS and in a reference laboratory at the University of L'Aquila. Our data suggest the reduced radiation environment can influence Drosophila development and, depending on the genetic background, may affect viability for several generations even when flies are moved back to normal background radiation. As flies are considered a valuable model for human biology, our results might shed some light on understanding the effect of low dose radiation also in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Morciano
- SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Iorio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Università dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniela Iovino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Università dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Cipressa
- SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Satta
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Alesse
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Università dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy.,Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
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25
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Castillo H, Smith GB. Below-Background Ionizing Radiation as an Environmental Cue for Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
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26
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Lampe N, Biron DG, Brown JMC, Incerti S, Marin P, Maigne L, Sarramia D, Seznec H, Breton V. Simulating the Impact of the Natural Radiation Background on Bacterial Systems: Implications for Very Low Radiation Biological Experiments. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166364. [PMID: 27851794 PMCID: PMC5112919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
At very low radiation dose rates, the effects of energy depositions in cells by ionizing radiation is best understood stochastically, as ionizing particles deposit energy along tracks separated by distances often much larger than the size of cells. We present a thorough analysis of the stochastic impact of the natural radiative background on cells, focusing our attention on E. coli grown as part of a long term evolution experiment in both underground and surface laboratories. The chance per day that a particle track interacts with a cell in the surface laboratory was found to be 6 × 10-5 day-1, 100 times less than the expected daily mutation rate for E. coli under our experimental conditions. In order for the chance cells are hit to approach the mutation rate, a gamma background dose rate of 20 μGy hr-1 is predicted to be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael Lampe
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS/IN2P3, Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David G. Biron
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Laboratoire Microorganismes Génome et Environnement, UMR CNRS 6023, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jeremy M. C. Brown
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Sébastien Incerti
- Université de Bordeaux, CENBG, UMR 5797, F-33170 Gradignan, France
- CNRS, IN2P3, CENBG, UMR 5797, F-33170 Gradignan, France
| | - Pierre Marin
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS/IN2P3, Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Lydia Maigne
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS/IN2P3, Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David Sarramia
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS/IN2P3, Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hervé Seznec
- Université de Bordeaux, CENBG, UMR 5797, F-33170 Gradignan, France
- CNRS, IN2P3, CENBG, UMR 5797, F-33170 Gradignan, France
| | - Vincent Breton
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS/IN2P3, Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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27
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Lampe N, Marin P, Castor J, Warot G, Incerti S, Maigne L, Sarramia D, Breton V. Background study of absorbed dose in biological experiments at the Modane Underground Laboratory. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201612400006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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28
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Seong KM, Seo S, Lee D, Kim MJ, Lee SS, Park S, Jin YW. Is the Linear No-Threshold Dose-Response Paradigm Still Necessary for the Assessment of Health Effects of Low Dose Radiation? J Korean Med Sci 2016; 31 Suppl 1:S10-23. [PMID: 26908982 PMCID: PMC4756336 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.s1.s10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inevitable human exposure to ionizing radiation from man-made sources has been increased with the proceeding of human civilization and consequently public concerns focus on the possible risk to human health. Moreover, Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents after the 2011 East-Japan earthquake and tsunami has brought the great fear and anxiety for the exposure of radiation at low levels, even much lower levels similar to natural background. Health effects of low dose radiation less than 100 mSv have been debated whether they are beneficial or detrimental because sample sizes were not large enough to allow epidemiological detection of excess effects and there was lack of consistency among the available experimental data. We have reviewed an extensive literature on the low dose radiation effects in both radiation biology and epidemiology, and highlighted some of the controversies therein. This article could provide a reasonable view of utilizing radiation for human life and responding to the public questions about radiation risk. In addition, it suggests the necessity of integrated studies of radiobiology and epidemiology at the national level in order to collect more systematic and profound information about health effects of low dose radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Moon Seong
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dalnim Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Jeong Kim
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Sook Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
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29
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Fratini E, Carbone C, Capece D, Esposito G, Simone G, Tabocchini MA, Tomasi M, Belli M, Satta L. Low-radiation environment affects the development of protection mechanisms in V79 cells. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2015; 54:183-194. [PMID: 25636513 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-015-0587-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Very little is known about the influence of environmental radiation on living matter. In principle, important information can be acquired by analysing possible differences between parallel biological systems, one in a reference-radiation environment (RRE) and the other in a low-radiation environment (LRE). We took advantage of the unique opportunity represented by the cell culture facilities at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, where environment dose rate reduction factors in the underground (LRE), with respect to the external laboratory (RRE), are as follows: 10(3) for neutrons, 10(7) for directly ionizing cosmic rays and 10 for total γ-rays. Chinese hamster V79 cells were cultured for 10 months in both RRE and LRE. At the end of this period, all the cultures were kept in RRE for another 6 months. Changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPX) and spontaneous mutation frequency at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus were investigated. The results obtained suggest that environmental radiation might act as a trigger of defence mechanisms in V79 cells, specifically those in reference conditions, showing a higher degree of defence against endogenous damage as compared to cells grown in a very low-radiation environment. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that environmental radiation contributes to the development of defence mechanisms in today living organisms/systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fratini
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Piazza del Viminale 1, 00184, Rome, Italy
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30
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Aerts AM, Impens NREN, Baatout S, Benotmane MA, Camps J, Dabin JM, Derradji H, Grosche B, Horemans N, Jourdain JR, Moreels M, Perko T, Quintens R, Repussard J, Rühm W, Schneider T, Struelens L, Hardeman F. Joint research towards a better radiation protection-highlights of the Fifth MELODI Workshop. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2014; 34:931-56. [PMID: 25431966 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/34/4/931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
MELODI is the European platform dedicated to low-dose radiation risk research. From 7 October through 10 October 2013 the Fifth MELODI Workshop took place in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop offered the opportunity to 221 unique participants originating from 22 countries worldwide to update their knowledge and discuss radiation research issues through 118 oral and 44 poster presentations. In addition, the MELODI 2013 workshop was reaching out to the broader radiation protection community, rather than only the low-dose community, with contributions from the fields of radioecology, emergency and recovery preparedness, and dosimetry. In this review, we summarise the major scientific conclusions of the workshop, which are important to keep the MELODI strategic research agenda up-to-date and which will serve to establish a joint radiation protection research roadmap for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Aerts
- Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium
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31
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Fratini E, Amendola R. Caves and other subsurface environments in the future exploration of Mars: the absence of natural background radiation as biology concern. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-013-0270-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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32
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Campa A, Balduzzi M, Dini V, Esposito G, Tabocchini MA. The complex interactions between radiation induced non-targeted effects and cancer. Cancer Lett 2013; 356:126-36. [PMID: 24139968 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Radiation induced non-targeted effects have been widely investigated in the last two decades for their potential impact on low dose radiation risk. In this paper we will give an overview of the most relevant aspects related to these effects, starting from the definition of the low dose scenarios. We will underline the role of radiation quality, both in terms of mechanisms of interaction with the biological matter and for the importance of charged particles as powerful tools for low dose effects investigation. We will focus on cell communication, representing a common feature of non-targeted effects, giving also an overview of cancer models that have explicitly considered such effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Campa
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma1, Gruppo Collegato Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Balduzzi
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma1, Gruppo Collegato Sanità, Rome, Italy; Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Dini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma1, Gruppo Collegato Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma1, Gruppo Collegato Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione Roma1, Gruppo Collegato Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Kujjo LL, Ronningen R, Ross P, Pereira RJG, Rodriguez R, Beyhan Z, Goissis MD, Baumann T, Kagawa W, Camsari C, Smith GW, Kurumizaka H, Yokoyama S, Cibelli JB, Perez GI. RAD51 plays a crucial role in halting cell death program induced by ionizing radiation in bovine oocytes. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:76. [PMID: 22190703 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.092064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive health of humans and animals exposed to daily irradiants from solar/cosmic particles remains largely understudied. We evaluated the sensitivities of bovine and mouse oocytes to bombardment by krypton-78 (1 Gy) or ultraviolet B (UV-B; 100 microjoules). Mouse oocytes responded to irradiation by undergoing massive activation of caspases, rapid loss of energy without cytochrome-c release, and subsequent necrotic death. In contrast, bovine oocytes became positive for annexin-V, exhibited cytochrome-c release, and displayed mild activation of caspases and downstream DNAses but with the absence of a complete cell death program; therefore, cytoplasmic fragmentation was never observed. However, massive cytoplasmic fragmentation and increased DNA damage were induced experimentally by both inhibiting RAD51 and increasing caspase 3 activity before irradiation. Microinjection of recombinant human RAD51 prior to irradiation markedly decreased both cytoplasmic fragmentation and DNA damage in both bovine and mouse oocytes. RAD51 response to damaged DNA occurred faster in bovine oocytes than in mouse oocytes. Therefore, we conclude that upon exposure to irradiation, bovine oocytes create a physiologically indeterminate state of partial cell death, attributed to rapid induction of DNA repair and low activation of caspases. The persistence of these damaged cells may represent an adaptive mechanism with potential implications for livestock productivity and long-term health risks associated with human activity in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loro L Kujjo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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Maalouf M, Durante M, Foray N. Biological effects of space radiation on human cells: history, advances and outcomes. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2011; 52:126-146. [PMID: 21436608 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.10128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to radiation is one of the main concerns for space exploration by humans. By focusing deliberately on the works performed on human cells, we endeavored to review, decade by decade, the technological developments and conceptual advances of space radiation biology. Despite considerable efforts, the cancer and the toxicity risks remain to be quantified: 1) the nature and the frequency of secondary heavy ions need to be better characterized in order to estimate their contribution to the dose and to the final biological response; 2) the diversity of radiation history of each astronaut and the impact of individual susceptibility make very difficult any epidemiological analysis for estimating hazards specifically due to space radiation exposure. 3) Cytogenetic data undoubtedly revealed that space radiation exposure produce significant damage in cells. However, our knowledge of the basic mechanisms specific to low-dose, to repeated doses and to adaptive response is still poor. The application of new radiobiological techniques, like immunofluorescence, and the use of human tissue models different from blood, like skin fibroblasts, may help in clarifying all the above items.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Maalouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U836, Groupe de Radiobiologie, Paris, France
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Lisbona A, Averbeck D, Supiot S, Delpon G, Ali D, Vinas F, Diana C, Murariu C, Lagrange JL. [IMRT combined to IGRT: increase of the irradiated volume. Consequences?]. Cancer Radiother 2010; 14:563-70. [PMID: 20729117 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2010.07.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 07/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) combined or not with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are new and very useful techniques. However, these new techniques are responsible of irradiation at low dose in large volumes. The control of alignment, realignment of the patient and target positioning in external beam radiotherapy are increasingly performed by radiological imaging devices. The management of this medical imaging depends on the practice of each radiotherapy centre. The physical doses due to the IGRT are however quantifiable and traceable. In one hand, these doses appear justified for a better targeting and could be considered negligible in the context of radiotherapy. On the other hand, the potential impact of these low doses should deserve the consideration of professionals. It appears important therefore to report and consider not only doses in target volumes and in "standard" organs at risk, but also the volume of all tissue receiving low doses of radiation. The recent development of IMRT launches the same issue concerning the effects of low doses of radiation. Indeed, IMRT increases the volume of healthy tissue exposed to radiation. At low dose (<100mGy), many parameters have to be considered for health risk estimations: the induction of genes and activation of proteins, bystander effect, radio-adaptation, the specific low-dose radio-hypersensitivity and individual radiation sensitivity. With the exception of the latter, the contribution of these parameters is generally protective in terms of carcinogenesis. An analysis of secondary cancers arising out of field appears to confirm such notion. The risk of secondary tumours is not well known in these conditions of treatment associating IMRT and IGRT. It is therefore recommended that the dose due to imaging during therapeutic irradiation be reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lisbona
- CLCC Nantes-Atlantique, boulevard Jacques-Monod, 44805 Saint-Herblain, France
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La prévention du cancer et la relation dose–effet : l’effet cancérogène des rayonnements ionisants. Cancer Radiother 2009; 13:238-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2009.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2009] [Revised: 03/04/2009] [Accepted: 03/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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