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Zhao Y, Ji G, Zhou S, Cai S, Li K, Zhang W, Zhang C, Yan N, Zhang S, Li X, Song B, Qu L. IGF2BP2-Shox2 axis regulates hippocampal-neuronal senescence to alleviate microgravity-induced recognition disturbance. iScience 2024; 27:109917. [PMID: 38812544 PMCID: PMC11134919 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109917] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
During space travel, microgravity leads to disturbances in cognitive function, while the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Simulated microgravity mice showed neuronal age-like changes in the hippocampus of our study. In the context of microgravity, we discovered m6A modification reshapes in the hippocampal region. When paired with RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq, Shox2 was found to be a powerful regulator in hippocampal neuron that respondes to microgravity. Decreased expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and improved genes related to synapses led to the restoration of memory function in the hippocampus upon increased expression of Shox2. Moreover, we discovered that IGF2BP2 was required for the m6A modification of the Shox2, and overexpressed IGF2BP2 in the hippocampus protected against both neuronal senescence and learning and memory decline caused by loss of gravity. Accordingly, our research identified the hippocampal IGF2BP2-Shox2 axis as a possible therapeutic approach to maintaining cognitive function during space travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology and Forensics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Guohua Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Sihai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology and Forensics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shiou Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology and Forensics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wanyu Zhang
- Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University School, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Na Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shuhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Song
- Department of Pathology and Forensics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lina Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
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2
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Cucinotta FA, Schimmerling W. A no-fault risk compensation approach for radiation risks incurred in space travel. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:166-170. [PMID: 38670643 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In this paper we recommend an appropriate compensation approach should be established for fatality and disabilities that may occur due to space radiation exposures of government or industry workers. A brief review of compensation approaches for nuclear energy and nuclear weapons development workers in the United States and other countries is described. We then summarize issues in the application of probability of causation calculation and provide examples of probability of causation (PC) calculations for missions to the International Space Station and Earth's moon or for Mars exploration. The main focus of this paper follows with a recommendation of a no-fault approach to compensation with the creation of appropriate insurance policies funded by employers to cover all disabilities or fatality, without requiring proof of causation or restriction to conditions that imply causation. Importantly we propose that the compensation described should be managed by recourse to private insurers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis A Cucinotta
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA.
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3
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Tomsia M, Cieśla J, Śmieszek J, Florek S, Macionga A, Michalczyk K, Stygar D. Long-term space missions' effects on the human organism: what we do know and what requires further research. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1284644. [PMID: 38415007 PMCID: PMC10896920 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1284644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Space has always fascinated people. Many years have passed since the first spaceflight, and in addition to the enormous technological progress, the level of understanding of human physiology in space is also increasing. The presented paper aims to summarize the recent research findings on the influence of the space environment (microgravity, pressure differences, cosmic radiation, etc.) on the human body systems during short-term and long-term space missions. The review also presents the biggest challenges and problems that must be solved in order to extend safely the time of human stay in space. In the era of increasing engineering capabilities, plans to colonize other planets, and the growing interest in commercial space flights, the most topical issues of modern medicine seems to be understanding the effects of long-term stay in space, and finding solutions to minimize the harmful effects of the space environment on the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Tomsia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Cieśla
- School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Śmieszek
- School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Szymon Florek
- School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Agata Macionga
- School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Michalczyk
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Dominika Stygar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- SLU University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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4
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Desai RI, Kangas BD, Luc OT, Solakidou E, Smith EC, Dawes MH, Ma X, Makriyannis A, Chatterjee S, Dayeh MA, Muñoz-Jaramillo A, Desai MI, Limoli CL. Complex 33-beam simulated galactic cosmic radiation exposure impacts cognitive function and prefrontal cortex neurotransmitter networks in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7779. [PMID: 38012180 PMCID: PMC10682413 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Astronauts will encounter extended exposure to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) during deep space exploration, which could impair brain function. Here, we report that in male mice, acute or chronic GCR exposure did not modify reward sensitivity but did adversely affect attentional processes and increased reaction times. Potassium (K+)-stimulation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) elevated dopamine (DA) but abolished temporal DA responsiveness after acute and chronic GCR exposure. Unlike acute GCR, chronic GCR increased levels of all other neurotransmitters, with differences evident between groups after higher K+-stimulation. Correlational and machine learning analysis showed that acute and chronic GCR exposure differentially reorganized the connection strength and causation of DA and other PFC neurotransmitter networks compared to controls which may explain space radiation-induced neurocognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev I Desai
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Brian D Kangas
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Oanh T Luc
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Eleana Solakidou
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evan C Smith
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Monica H Dawes
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Maher A Dayeh
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA
- University of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | | | - Mihir I Desai
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA
- University of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, 92697, USA
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5
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Cahoon DS, Rabin BM, Fisher DR, Shukitt-Hale B. Effects of HZE-Particle Exposure Location and Energy on Brain Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats. Radiat Res 2023; 200:431-443. [PMID: 37758038 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00041.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Astronauts on exploratory missions will be exposed to particle radiation of high energy and charge (HZE particles), which have been shown to produce neurochemical and performance deficits in animal models. Exposure to HZE particles can produce both targeted effects, resulting from direct ionization of atoms along the particle track, and non-targeted effects (NTEs) in cells that are distant from the track, extending the range of potential damage beyond the site of irradiation. While recent work suggests that NTEs are primarily responsible for changes in cognitive function after HZE exposures, the relative contributions of targeted and non-targeted effects to neurochemical changes after HZE exposures are unclear. The present experiment was designed to further explore the role of targeted and non-targeted effects on HZE-induced neurochemical changes (inflammation and oxidative stress) by evaluating the effects of exposure location and particle energy/linear energy transfer (LET). Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats received head-only or body-only exposures to 56Fe particles [600 MeV/n (75 cGy) or 1,000 MeV/n (100 cGy)] or 48Ti particles [500 MeV/n (50 cGy) or 1,100 MeV/n (75 cGy)] or no irradiation (0 cGy). Twenty-four h after irradiation, rats were euthanized, and the brain was dissected for analysis of HZE-particle-induced neurochemical changes in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Results showed that exposure to 56Fe and 48Ti ions produced changes in measurements of brain inflammation [glial fibrillary astrocyte protein (GFAP)], oxidative stress [NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2)] and antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)]. However, radiation effects varied depending upon the specific measurement, brain region, and exposure location. Although overall exposures of the head produced more detrimental changes in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress than exposures of the body, body-only exposures also produced changes relative to no irradiation, and the effect of particle energy/LET on neurochemical changes was minimal. Results indicate that both targeted and non-targeted effects are important contributors to neurochemical changes after head-only exposure. However, because there were no consistent neurochemical changes as a function of changes in track structure after head-only exposures, the role of direct effects on neuronal function is uncertain. Therefore, these findings, although in an animal model, suggest that NTEs should be considered in the estimation of risk to the central nervous system (CNS) and development of countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Cahoon
- USDA-ARS, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Maryland 02111
| | - Bernard M Rabin
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250
| | - Derek R Fisher
- USDA-ARS, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Maryland 02111
| | - Barbara Shukitt-Hale
- USDA-ARS, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Maryland 02111
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6
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Kolesnikova IA, Lalkovičova M, Severyukhin YS, Golikova KN, Utina DM, Pronskikh EV, Despotović SZ, Gaevsky VN, Pirić D, Masnikosa R, Budennaya NN. The Effects of Whole Body Gamma Irradiation on Mice, Age-Related Behavioral, and Pathophysiological Changes. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3723-3741. [PMID: 37402948 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01381-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
We designed a study with the objective to determine the long-term radiation effects of gamma rays, originating from a single shot of Co60 at a dose of 2 Gy on the 7-month-old male mice of the ICR line in 30 days after the irradiation. The aim of this study was to characterize the behavior of animals using the Open Field test, immuno-hematological status, and morpho-functional changes in the central nervous system of mice. Irradiated animals displayed significantly different behavior in the OF in comparison with the control group. The radiation damage was confirmed by assessing the ratio of leukocytes in the peripheral blood of mice at a later date after exposure to Co60. After irradiation, a decrease in the glioneuronal complex was observed in the irritated group as well as histological changes of brain cells. To sum up, not only was the hematological status of mice altered upon the total gamma irradiation, but also their behavior, which was most probably due to significant alterations in the CNS. Study of influence of ionizing radiation on female mice, comparison between different age groups. Open Field test on the 30 days after 2 Gy of γ-rays and histological analysis indicated changes in behavioral patterns, leucocytes, and brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Kolesnikova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
| | - M Lalkovičova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198.
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Yu S Severyukhin
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
- State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Moscow Region University Dubna, Dubna, Russia
| | - K N Golikova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
| | - D M Utina
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
| | - E V Pronskikh
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
- State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Moscow Region University Dubna, Dubna, Russia
| | - Sanja Z Despotović
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - V N Gaevsky
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
| | - D Pirić
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinča, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovica Alasa 12-14, 11001, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - R Masnikosa
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinča, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovica Alasa 12-14, 11001, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N N Budennaya
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, Dubna, Russia, 14198
- State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Moscow Region University Dubna, Dubna, Russia
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7
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Desorgher L, Stabilini A, Rostomyan T, Reggiani D, Hajdas W, Marcinkowski RM, Vozenin MC, Limoli CL, Yukihara EG, Bailat C. Dosimetry of the PIM1 Pion Beam at the Paul Scherrer Institute for Radiobiological Studies of Mice. Radiat Res 2023; 200:357-365. [PMID: 37702413 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00029.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Significant past work has identified unexpected risks of central nervous system (CNS) exposure to the space radiation environment, where long-lasting functional decrements have been associated with multiple ion species delivered at low doses and dose rates. As shielding is the only established intervention capable of limiting exposure to the dangerous radiation fields in space, the recent discovery that pions, emanating from regions of enhanced shielding, can contribute significantly to the total absorbed dose on a deep space mission poses additional concerns. As a prerequisite to biological studies evaluating pion dose equivalents for various CNS exposure scenarios of mice, a careful dosimetric validation study is required. Within our ultimate goal of evaluating the functional consequences of defined pion exposures to CNS functionality, we report in this article the detailed dosimetry of the PiMI pion beam line at the Paul Scherrer Institute, which was developed in support of radiobiological experiments. Beam profiles and contamination of the beam by protons, electrons, positrons and muons were characterized prior to the mice irradiations. The dose to the back and top of the mice was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and optically simulated luminescence (OSL) to cross-validate the dosimetry results. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations of radiation exposure of a mouse phantom in water by charged pions were also performed to quantify the difference between the absorbed dose from the OSL and TLD and the absorbed dose to water, using a simple model of the mouse brain. The absorbed dose measured by the OSL dosimeters and TLDs agreed within 5-10%. A 30% difference between the measured absorbed dose and the dose calculated by Geant4 in the dosimeters was obtained, probably due to the approximated Monte Carlo configuration compared to the experiment. A difference of 15-20% between the calculated absorbed dose to water at a 5 mm depth and in the passive dosimeters was obtained, suggesting the need for a correction factor of the measured dose to obtain the absorbed dose in the mouse brain. Finally, based on the comparison of the experimental data and the Monte Carlo calculations, we consider the dose measurement to be accurate to within 15-20%.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Desorgher
- Institute of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Switzerland
| | - A Stabilini
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
| | - T Rostomyan
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
| | - D Reggiani
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
| | - W Hajdas
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
| | - R M Marcinkowski
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
- SE2S GMBH, Boppelsen ZH, Switzerland
| | - M-C Vozenin
- CHUV-Radiation-oncology Laboratory, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - C L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - E G Yukihara
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland
| | - C Bailat
- Institute of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Switzerland
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8
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Britten RA, Fesshaye A, Tidmore A, Liu A, Blackwell AA. Loss of Cognitive Flexibility Practice Effects in Female Rats Exposed to Simulated Space Radiation. Radiat Res 2023; 200:256-265. [PMID: 37527363 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00196.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
During the planned missions to Mars, astronauts will be faced with many potential health hazards including prolonged exposure to space radiation. Ground-based studies have shown that exposure to space radiation impairs the performance of male rats in cognitive flexibility tasks which involve processes that are essential to rapidly and efficiently adapting to different situations. However, there is presently a paucity of information on the effects of space radiation on cognitive flexibility in female rodents. This study has determined the impact that exposure to a low (10 cGy) dose of ions from the simplified 5-ion galactic cosmic ray simulation [https://www.bnl.gov/nsrl/userguide/SimGCRSim.php (07/2023)] (GCRSim) beam or 250 MeV/n 4He ions has on the ability of female Wistar rats to perform in constrained [attentional set shifting (ATSET)] and unconstrained cognitive flexibility (UCFlex) tasks. Female rats exposed to GCRSim exhibited multiple decrements in ATSET performance. Firstly, GCRSim exposure impaired performance in the compound discrimination (CD) stage of the ATSET task. While the ability of rats to identify the rewarded cue was not compromised, the time the rats required to do so significantly increased. Secondly, both 4He and GCRSim exposure reduced the ability of rats to reach criterion in the compound discrimination reversal (CDR) stage. Approximately 20% of the irradiated rats were unable to complete the CDR task; furthermore, the irradiated rats that did reach criterion took more attempts to do so than did the sham-treated animals. Radiation exposure also altered the magnitude and/or nature of practice effects. A comparison of performance metrics from the pre-screen and post-exposure ATSET task revealed that while the sham-treated rats completed the post-exposure CD stage of the ATSET task in 30% less time than for completion of the pre-screen ATSET task, the irradiated rats took 30-50% longer to do so. Similarly, while sham-treated rats completed the CDR stage in ∼10% fewer attempts in the post-exposure task compared to the pre-screen task, in contrast, the 4He- and GCRSim-exposed cohorts took more (∼2-fold) attempts to reach criterion in the post-exposure task than in the pre-screen task. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that female rats are susceptible to radiation-induced loss of performance in the constrained ATSET cognitive flexibility task. Moreover, exposure to radiation leads to multiple performance decrements, including loss of practice effects, an increase in anterograde interference and reduced ability or unwillingness to switch attention. Should similar effects occur in humans, astronauts may have a compromised ability to perform complex tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Britten
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
- EVMS Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
| | - Arriyam Fesshaye
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
| | - Alyssa Tidmore
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
| | - Aiyi Liu
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
| | - Ashley A Blackwell
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
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Kremsky I, Ali S, Stanbouly S, Holley J, Justinen S, Pecaut M, Crapo J, Mao X. Spaceflight-Induced Gene Expression Profiles in the Mouse Brain Are Attenuated by Treatment with the Antioxidant BuOE. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13569. [PMID: 37686374 PMCID: PMC10487739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The demands of deep space pose a health risk to the central nervous system that has long been a concern when sending humans to space. While little is known about how spaceflight affects transcription spatially in the brain, a greater understanding of this process has the potential to aid strategies that mitigate the effects of spaceflight on the brain. Therefore, we performed GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling of mouse brains subjected to either spaceflight or grounded controls. Four brain regions were selected: Cortex, Frontal Cortex, Corunu Ammonis I, and Dentate Gyrus. Antioxidants have emerged as a potential means of attenuating the effects of spaceflight, so we treated a subset of the mice with a superoxide dismutase mimic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ (BuOE). Our analysis revealed hundreds of differentially expressed genes due to spaceflight in each of the four brain regions. Both common and region-specific transcriptomic responses were observed. Metabolic pathways and pathways sensitive to oxidative stress were enriched in the four brain regions due to spaceflight. These findings enhance our understanding of brain regional variation in susceptibility to spaceflight conditions. BuOE reduced the transcriptomic effects of spaceflight at a large number of genes, suggesting that this compound may attenuate oxidative stress-induced brain damage caused by the spaceflight environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Kremsky
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
- Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Samir Ali
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
| | - Seta Stanbouly
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
| | - Jacob Holley
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
| | - Stephen Justinen
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
| | - Michael Pecaut
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
| | - James Crapo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80206, USA;
| | - Xiaowen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (I.K.); (S.A.); (S.S.); (J.H.); (S.J.); (M.P.)
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10
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Stahn AC, Bucher D, Zu Eulenburg P, Denise P, Smith N, Pagnini F, White O. Paving the way to better understand the effects of prolonged spaceflight on operational performance and its neural bases. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:59. [PMID: 37524737 PMCID: PMC10390562 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Space exploration objectives will soon move from low Earth orbit to distant destinations like Moon and Mars. The present work provides an up-to-date roadmap that identifies critical research gaps related to human behavior and performance in altered gravity and space. The roadmap summarizes (1) key neurobehavioral challenges associated with spaceflight, (2) the need to consider sex as a biological variable, (3) the use of integrative omics technologies to elucidate mechanisms underlying changes in the brain and behavior, and (4) the importance of understanding the neural representation of gravity throughout the brain and its multisensory processing. We then highlight the need for a variety of target-specific countermeasures, and a personalized administration schedule as two critical strategies for mitigating potentially adverse effects of spaceflight on the central nervous system and performance. We conclude with a summary of key priorities for the roadmaps of current and future space programs and stress the importance of new collaborative strategies across agencies and researchers for fostering an integrative cross- and transdisciplinary approach from cells, molecules to neural circuits and cognitive performance. Finally, we highlight that space research in neurocognitive science goes beyond monitoring and mitigating risks in astronauts but could also have significant benefits for the population on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Stahn
- Unit of Experimental Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - D Bucher
- IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Zu Eulenburg
- Institute for Neuroradiology & German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - P Denise
- Normandie Univ. UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, Caen, France
| | - N Smith
- Protective Security and Resilience Centre, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - F Pagnini
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - O White
- Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Dijon, France.
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11
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Impey S, Pelz C, Riparip LK, Tafessu A, Fareh F, Zuloaga DG, Marzulla T, Stewart B, Rosi S, Turker MS, Raber J. Postsynaptic density radiation signature following space irradiation. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1215535. [PMID: 37440997 PMCID: PMC10334289 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1215535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The response of the brain to space radiation is an important concern for astronauts during space missions. Therefore, we assessed the response of the brain to 28Si ion irradiation (600 MeV/n), a heavy ion present in the space environment, on cognitive performance and whether the response is associated with altered DNA methylation in the hippocampus, a brain area important for cognitive performance. Methods: We determined the effects of 28Si ion irradiation on object recognition, 6-month-old mice irradiated with 28Si ions (600 MeV/n, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 Gy) and cognitively tested two weeks later. In addition, we determined if those effects were associated with alterations in hippocampal networks and/or hippocampal DNA methylation. Results: At 0.3 Gy, but not at 0.6 Gy or 0.9 Gy, 28Si ion irradiation impaired cognition that correlated with altered gene expression and 5 hmC profiles that mapped to specific gene ontology pathways. Comparing hippocampal DNA hydroxymethylation following proton, 56Fe ion, and 28Si ion irradiation revealed a general space radiation synaptic signature with 45 genes that are associated with profound phenotypes. The most significant categories were glutamatergic synapse and postsynaptic density. Discussion: The brain's response to space irradiation involves novel excitatory synapse and postsynaptic remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soren Impey
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Dow Neuroscience Laboratories, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Legacy Research Institute, Legacy Health Systems, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Carl Pelz
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Lara-Kirstie Riparip
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Amanuel Tafessu
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Fatema Fareh
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Damian G. Zuloaga
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Tessa Marzulla
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Blair Stewart
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Susanna Rosi
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mitchell S. Turker
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Departments of Neurology and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience ONPRC, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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12
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Britten RA, Limoli CL. New Radiobiological Principles for the CNS Arising from Space Radiation Research. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1293. [PMID: 37374076 DOI: 10.3390/life13061293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, the brain has been regarded as a relatively insensitive late-reacting tissue, with radiologically detectable damage not being reported at doses < 60 Gy. When NASA proposed interplanetary exploration missions, it was required to conduct an intensive health and safety evaluation of cancer, cardiovascular, and cognitive risks associated with exposure to deep space radiation (SR). The SR dose that astronauts on a mission to Mars are predicted to receive is ~300 mGy. Even after correcting for the higher RBE of the SR particles, the biologically effective SR dose (<1 Gy) would still be 60-fold lower than the threshold dose for clinically detectable neurological damage. Unexpectedly, the NASA-funded research program has consistently reported that low (<250 mGy) doses of SR induce deficits in multiple cognitive functions. This review will discuss these findings and the radical paradigm shifts in radiobiological principles for the brain that were required in light of these findings. These included a shift from cell killing to loss of function models, an expansion of the critical brain regions for radiation-induced cognitive impediments, and the concept that the neuron may not be the sole critical target for neurocognitive impairment. The accrued information on how SR exposure impacts neurocognitive performance may provide new opportunities to reduce neurocognitive impairment in brain cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Britten
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department Radiation Oncology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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13
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Puukila S, Siu O, Rubinstein L, Tahimic CGT, Lowe M, Tabares Ruiz S, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Shirazi-Fard Y, Alwood JS, Paul AM, Ronca AE. Galactic Cosmic Irradiation Alters Acute and Delayed Species-Typical Behavior in Male and Female Mice. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051214. [PMID: 37240858 DOI: 10.3390/life13051214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to space galactic cosmic radiation is a principal consideration for deep space missions. While the effects of space irradiation on the nervous system are not fully known, studies in animal models have shown that exposure to ionizing radiation can cause neuronal damage and lead to downstream cognitive and behavioral deficits. Cognitive health implications put humans and missions at risk, and with the upcoming Artemis missions in which female crew will play a major role, advance critical analysis of the neurological and performance responses of male and female rodents to space radiation is vital. Here, we tested the hypothesis that simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCRSim) exposure disrupts species-typical behavior in mice, including burrowing, rearing, grooming, and nest-building that depend upon hippocampal and medial prefrontal cortex circuitry. Behavior comprises a remarkably well-integrated representation of the biology of the whole animal that informs overall neural and physiological status, revealing functional impairment. We conducted a systematic dose-response analysis of mature (6-month-old) male and female mice exposed to either 5, 15, or 50 cGy 5-ion GCRSim (H, Si, He, O, Fe) at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL). Behavioral performance was evaluated at 72 h (acute) and 91-days (delayed) postradiation exposure. Specifically, species-typical behavior patterns comprising burrowing, rearing, and grooming as well as nest building were analyzed. A Neuroscore test battery (spontaneous activity, proprioception, vibrissae touch, limb symmetry, lateral turning, forelimb outstretching, and climbing) was performed at the acute timepoint to investigate early sensorimotor deficits postirradiation exposure. Nest construction, a measure of neurological and organizational function in rodents, was evaluated using a five-stage Likert scale 'Deacon' score that ranged from 1 (a low score where the Nestlet is untouched) to 5 (a high score where the Nestlet is completely shredded and shaped into a nest). Differential acute responses were observed in females relative to males with respect to species-typical behavior following 15 cGy exposure while delayed responses were observed in female grooming following 50 cGy exposure. Significant sex differences were observed at both timepoints in nest building. No deficits in sensorimotor behavior were observed via the Neuroscore. This study revealed subtle, sexually dimorphic GCRSim exposure effects on mouse behavior. Our analysis provides a clearer understanding of GCR dose effects on species typical, sensorimotor and organizational behaviors at acute and delayed timeframes postirradiation, thereby setting the stage for the identification of underlying cellular and molecular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Puukila
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Olivia Siu
- Space Life Sciences Training Program (SLSTP), NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Hospital, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Steffy Tabares Ruiz
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Ivan Korostenskij
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Maya Semel
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Yasaman Shirazi-Fard
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
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14
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Stephenson S, Liu A, Blackwell AA, Britten RA. Multiple decrements in switch task performance in female rats exposed to space radiation. Behav Brain Res 2023; 449:114465. [PMID: 37142163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Astronauts on the Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars will be exposed to unavoidable Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR). Studies using male rats suggest that GCR exposure impairs several processes required for cognitive flexibility performance, including attention and task switching. Currently no comparable studies have been conducted with female rats. Given that both males and females will travel into deep space, this study determined whether simulated GCR (GCRsim) exposure impairs task switching performance in female rats. Female Wistar rats exposed to 10cGy GCRsim (n = 12) and shams (n=14) were trained to perform a touchscreen-based switch task that mimics a switch task used to evaluate pilots' response times. In comparison to sham rats, three-fold more GCRsim-exposed rats failed to complete the stimulus response stage of training, a high cognitive loading task. In the switch task, 50% of the GCRsim-exposed rats failed to consistently transition between the repeated and switch blocks of stimuli, which they completed during lower cognitive loading training stages. The GCRsim-exposed rats that completed the switch task only performed at 65% of the accuracy of shams. Female rats exposed to GCRsim thus exhibit multiple decrements in the switch task under high, but not low, cognitive loading conditions. While the operational significance of this performance decrement is unknown, if GCRSim exposure was to induce similar effects in astronauts, our data suggests there may be a reduced ability to execute task switching under high cognitive loading situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Stephenson
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA
| | - Aiyi Liu
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA
| | - Ashley A Blackwell
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 USA.
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15
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Li X, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Xia X, Zheng JC. Neural stem/progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles: A novel therapy for neurological diseases and beyond. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e214. [PMID: 36776763 PMCID: PMC9905070 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
As bilayer lipid membrane vesicles secreted by neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs), NSC-derived extracellular vesicles (NSC-EVs) have attracted growing attention for their promising potential to serve as novel therapeutic agents in treatment of neurological diseases due to their unique physicochemical characteristics and biological functions. NSC-EVs exhibit advantages such as stable physical and chemical properties, low immunogenicity, and high penetration capacity to cross blood-brain barrier to avoid predicaments of the clinical applications of NSCs that include autoimmune responses, ethical/religious concerns, and the problematic logistics of acquiring fetal tissues. More importantly, NSC-EVs inherit excellent neuroprotective and neuroregenerative potential and immunomodulatory capabilities from parent cells, and display outstanding therapeutic effects on mitigating behavioral alterations and pathological phenotypes of patients or animals with neurological diseases. In this review, we first comprehensively summarize the progress in functional research and application of NSC-EVs in different neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, acute neurological diseases, dementia/cognitive dysfunction, and peripheral diseases. Next, we provide our thoughts on current limitations/concerns as well as tremendous potential of NSC-EVs in clinical applications. Last, we discuss future directions of further investigations on NSC-EVs and their probable applications in both basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Li
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative TherapyTongji Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yingbo Zhu
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative TherapyTongji Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yi Wang
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative TherapyYangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative TherapyTongji Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic MedicineTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain‐Like IntelligenceShanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration, Tongji UniversityMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
| | - Jialin C. Zheng
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative TherapyTongji Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic MedicineTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain‐Like IntelligenceShanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina,Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration, Tongji UniversityMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
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16
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Huff JL, Poignant F, Rahmanian S, Khan N, Blakely EA, Britten RA, Chang P, Fornace AJ, Hada M, Kronenberg A, Norman RB, Patel ZS, Shay JW, Weil MM, Simonsen LC, Slaba TC. Galactic cosmic ray simulation at the NASA space radiation laboratory - Progress, challenges and recommendations on mixed-field effects. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:90-104. [PMID: 36682835 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
For missions beyond low Earth orbit to the moon or Mars, space explorers will encounter a complex radiation field composed of various ion species with a broad range of energies. Such missions pose significant radiation protection challenges that need to be solved in order to minimize exposures and associated health risks. An innovative galactic cosmic ray simulator (GCRsim) was recently developed at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The GCRsim technology is intended to represent major components of the space radiation environment in a ground analog laboratory setting where it can be used to improve understanding of biological risks and serve as a testbed for countermeasure development and validation. The current GCRsim consists of 33 energetic ion beams that collectively simulate the primary and secondary GCR field encountered by humans in space over the broad range of particle types, energies, and linear energy transfer (LET) of interest to health effects. A virtual workshop was held in December 2020 to assess the status of the NASA baseline GCRsim. Workshop attendees examined various aspects of simulator design, with a particular emphasis on beam selection strategies. Experimental results, modeling approaches, areas of consensus, and questions of concern were also discussed in detail. This report includes a summary of the GCRsim workshop and a description of the current status of the GCRsim. This information is important for future advancements and applications in space radiobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Huff
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America.
| | - Floriane Poignant
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Shirin Rahmanian
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Nafisah Khan
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Eleanor A Blakely
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States of America
| | - Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Leroy T Canoles Jr. Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, United States of America
| | - Polly Chang
- SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States of America
| | - Albert J Fornace
- Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20057, United States of America
| | - Megumi Hada
- Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, 77446, United States of America
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States of America
| | - Ryan B Norman
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America
| | - Zarana S Patel
- KBR Inc., Houston, TX, 77058, United States of America; NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, 77058, United States of America
| | - Jerry W Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, United States of America
| | - Michael M Weil
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, United States of America
| | - Lisa C Simonsen
- NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, 20546, United States of America
| | - Tony C Slaba
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America
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17
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Alaghband Y, Klein PM, Kramár EA, Cranston MN, Perry BC, Shelerud LM, Kane AE, Doan NL, Ru N, Acharya MM, Wood MA, Sinclair DA, Dickstein DL, Soltesz I, Limoli CL, Baulch JE. Galactic cosmic radiation exposure causes multifaceted neurocognitive impairments. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:29. [PMID: 36607431 PMCID: PMC9823026 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04666-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Technological advancements have facilitated the implementation of realistic, terrestrial-based complex 33-beam galactic cosmic radiation simulations (GCR Sim) to now probe central nervous system functionality. This work expands considerably on prior, simplified GCR simulations, yielding new insights into responses of male and female mice exposed to 40-50 cGy acute or chronic radiations relevant to deep space travel. Results of the object in updated location task suggested that exposure to acute or chronic GCR Sim induced persistent impairments in hippocampus-dependent memory formation and reconsolidation in female mice that did not manifest robustly in irradiated male mice. Interestingly, irradiated male mice, but not females, were impaired in novel object recognition and chronically irradiated males exhibited increased aggressive behavior on the tube dominance test. Electrophysiology studies used to evaluate synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region revealed significant reductions in long-term potentiation after each irradiation paradigm in both sexes. Interestingly, network-level disruptions did not translate to altered intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal cells, whereas acute exposures caused modest drops in excitatory synaptic signaling in males. Ultrastructural analyses of CA1 synapses found smaller postsynaptic densities in larger spines of chronically exposed mice compared to controls and acutely exposed mice. Myelination was also affected by GCR Sim with acutely exposed mice exhibiting an increase in the percent of myelinated axons; however, the myelin sheathes on small calibur (< 0.3 mm) and larger (> 0.5 mm) axons were thinner when compared to controls. Present findings might have been predicted based on previous studies using single and mixed beam exposures and provide further evidence that space-relevant radiation exposures disrupt critical cognitive processes and underlying neuronal network-level plasticity, albeit not to the extent that might have been previously predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Alaghband
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Peter M Klein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Eniko A Kramár
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 92697-2695, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, 92697-2695, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Michael N Cranston
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF), Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Bayley C Perry
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF), Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Lukas M Shelerud
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 0211, USA
| | - Alice E Kane
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 0211, USA
| | - Ngoc-Lien Doan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Ning Ru
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 92697-2695, USA
| | - David A Sinclair
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 0211, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF), Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA
| | - Janet E Baulch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Sciences I, University of California Irvine, Room B-146D, Irvine, CA, 92697-2695, USA.
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18
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Kerry O'Banion M. Microglia: Rheostats of space radiation effects in the CNS microenvironment. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:180-186. [PMID: 36336364 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are innate immune cells within the brain that arise from a distinct myeloid lineage. Like other tissue resident macrophages, microglia respond to injury or immune challenges and participate in reparative processes such as phagocytosis to preserve normal function. Importantly, they also participate in normal homeostatic processes including maintenance of neurogenic niches and synaptic plasticity associated with development. This review highlights aspects of microglial biology and how repeated insults that occur with age, neurodegenerative disease and possibly radiation exposure may heighten microglial responses and contribute to their dysfunction, creating a situation where their normal reparative mechanisms are no longer sufficient to maintain brain health. These ideas are discussed in the context of an evolving literature focused on microglial responses as possible targets for mitigation of late CNS radiation effects that represent potential risks for future exploration of deep space environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kerry O'Banion
- Department of Neuroscience, USA; Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, USA; Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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19
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Abstract
Exploring space is one of the most attractive goals that humanity ever set, notwithstanding, there are some psychological and psychopathological risks that should be considered. Several studies identified some possible hazards of space travels and related physical and psychological consequences on astronauts. If some psychological reactions are obviously inherent to the characteristics of the spaceships (habitability, confinement, psychological, and interpersonal relationships), other (disturbances of sleep-wake cycle, personality changes, depression, anxiety, apathy, psychosomatic symptoms, neurovestibular problems, alterations in cognitive function, and sensory perception) represent a clear warning of possible central nervous system (CNS) alterations, possibly due to microgravity and cosmic radiation. Such conditions and eventual CNS changes might compromise the success of missions and the ability to cope with unexpected events and may lead to individual and long-term impairments. Therefore, further studies are needed, perhaps, requiring the birth of a novel branch of psychology/psychiatry that should not only consider the risks related to space exploration, but the implementation of targeted strategies to prevent them.
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20
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Laiakis EC, Pinheiro M, Nguyen T, Nguyen H, Beheshti A, Dutta SM, Russell WK, Emmett MR, Britten RA. Quantitative proteomic analytic approaches to identify metabolic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats exposed to space radiation. Front Physiol 2022; 13:971282. [PMID: 36091373 PMCID: PMC9459391 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.971282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NASA’s planned mission to Mars will result in astronauts being exposed to ∼350 mSv/yr of Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR). A growing body of data from ground-based experiments indicates that exposure to space radiation doses (approximating those that astronauts will be exposed to on a mission to Mars) impairs a variety of cognitive processes, including cognitive flexibility tasks. Some studies report that 33% of individuals may experience severe cognitive impairment. Translating the results from ground-based rodent studies into tangible risk estimates for astronauts is an enormous challenge, but it would be germane for NASA to use the vast body of data from the rodent studies to start developing appropriate countermeasures, in the expectation that some level of space radiation (SR) -induced cognitive impairment could occur in astronauts. While some targeted studies have reported radiation-induced changes in the neurotransmission properties and/or increased neuroinflammation within space radiation exposed brains, there remains little information that can be used to start the development of a mechanism-based countermeasure strategy. In this study, we have employed a robust label-free mass spectrometry (MS) -based untargeted quantitative proteomic profiling approach to characterize the composition of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) proteome in rats that have been exposed to 15 cGy of 600 MeV/n28Si ions. A variety of analytical techniques were used to mine the generated expression data, which in such studies is typically hampered by low and variable sample size. We have identified several pathways and proteins whose expression alters as a result of space radiation exposure, including decreased mitochondrial function, and a further subset of proteins differs in rats that have a high level of cognitive performance after SR exposure in comparison with those that have low performance levels. While this study has provided further insight into how SR impacts upon neurophysiology, and what adaptive responses can be invoked to prevent the emergence of SR-induced cognitive impairment, the main objective of this paper is to outline strategies that can be used by others to analyze sub-optimal data sets and to identify new information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evagelia C. Laiakis
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- *Correspondence: Evagelia C. Laiakis,
| | - Maisa Pinheiro
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Tin Nguyen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Hung Nguyen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA, United States
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sucharita M. Dutta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - William K. Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Mark R. Emmett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Richard A. Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
- Center for Integrative Neuroinflammatory and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
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21
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Neuroplasticity as a Foundation for Decision-Making in Space. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3030033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This is an exploratory review of two very recent, intersecting segments of space science: neuroplasticity in space, and decision-making in space. The high level of neuroplasticity in humans leads to unfortunate neurological and physical deconditioning while the body adjusts to the new space environment. However, neuroplasticity may also allow recovery and continued functioning of decision-making at a level necessary for mission completion. Cosmic radiation, microgravity, heightened levels of carbon dioxide in spacecraft, and other factors are being explored as root causes of neurological and physical deconditioning in space. The goal of this paper is to explore some of the lines of causation that show how these factors affect the capacity of humans to make decisions in space. Either alone or in groups, it remains essential that humans retain an ability to make decisions that will save lives, protect equipment, complete missions, and return safely to Earth. A final section addresses healthcare, medical intervention, and remediation that could help to “harness” neuroplasticity before, during, and after spaceflight. The dual nature of human neuroplasticity renders it both a cause of problems and also potentially the foundation of remediation. The future of research on both neuroplasticity and human decision-making promises to be full of surprises, both welcome and otherwise. It is an exciting time in research on space medicine.
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22
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Seidler RD, Stern C, Basner M, Stahn AC, Wuyts FL, zu Eulenburg P. Future research directions to identify risks and mitigation strategies for neurostructural, ocular, and behavioral changes induced by human spaceflight: A NASA-ESA expert group consensus report. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:876789. [PMID: 35991346 PMCID: PMC9387435 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.876789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A team of experts on the effects of the spaceflight environment on the brain and eye (SANS: Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome) was convened by NASA and ESA to (1) review spaceflight-associated structural and functional changes of the human brain and eye, and any interactions between the two; and (2) identify critical future research directions in this area to help characterize the risk and identify possible countermeasures and strategies to mitigate the spaceflight-induced brain and eye alterations. The experts identified 14 critical future research directions that would substantially advance our knowledge of the effects of spending prolonged periods of time in the spaceflight environment on SANS, as well as brain structure and function. They used a paired comparison approach to rank the relative importance of these 14 recommendations, which are discussed in detail in the main report and are summarized briefly below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael D. Seidler
- Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Claudia Stern
- Department of Clinical Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR) and ISS Operations and Astronauts Group, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency (ESA), Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Claudia Stern,
| | - Mathias Basner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexander C. Stahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Floris L. Wuyts
- Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter zu Eulenburg
- German Vertigo and Balance Center, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
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23
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Britten RA, Fesshaye A, Tidmore A, Blackwell AA. Similar Loss of Executive Function Performance after Exposure to Low (10 cGy) Doses of Single (4He) Ions and the Multi-Ion GCRSim Beam. Radiat Res 2022; 198:375-383. [DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00022.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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24
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Monitoring the Impact of Spaceflight on the Human Brain. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12071060. [PMID: 35888147 PMCID: PMC9323314 DOI: 10.3390/life12071060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Extended exposure to radiation, microgravity, and isolation during space exploration has significant physiological, structural, and psychosocial effects on astronauts, and particularly their central nervous system. To date, the use of brain monitoring techniques adopted on Earth in pre/post-spaceflight experimental protocols has proven to be valuable for investigating the effects of space travel on the brain. However, future (longer) deep space travel would require some brain function monitoring equipment to be also available for evaluating and monitoring brain health during spaceflight. Here, we describe the impact of spaceflight on the brain, the basic principles behind six brain function analysis technologies, their current use associated with spaceflight, and their potential for utilization during deep space exploration. We suggest that, while the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computerized tomography (CT) is limited to analog and pre/post-spaceflight studies on Earth, electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and ultrasound are good candidates to be adapted for utilization in the context of deep space exploration.
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25
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Desai RI, Limoli CL, Stark CEL, Stark SM. Impact of spaceflight stressors on behavior and cognition: A molecular, neurochemical, and neurobiological perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104676. [PMID: 35461987 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The response of the human body to multiple spaceflight stressors is complex, but mounting evidence implicate risks to CNS functionality as significant, able to threaten metrics of mission success and longer-term behavioral and neurocognitive health. Prolonged exposure to microgravity, sleep disruption, social isolation, fluid shifts, and ionizing radiation have been shown to disrupt mechanisms of homeostasis and neurobiological well-being. The overarching goal of this review is to document the existing evidence of how the major spaceflight stressors, including radiation, microgravity, isolation/confinement, and sleep deprivation, alone or in combination alter molecular, neurochemical, neurobiological, and plasma metabolite/lipid signatures that may be linked to operationally-relevant behavioral and cognitive performance. While certain brain region-specific and/or systemic alterations titrated in part with neurobiological outcome, variations across model systems, study design, and the conspicuous absence of targeted studies implementing combinations of spaceflight stressors, confounded the identification of specific signatures having direct relevance to human activities in space. Summaries are provided for formulating new research directives and more predictive readouts of portending change in neurobiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev I Desai
- Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Behavioral Biology Program, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Medical Sciences I, B146B, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Craig E L Stark
- Department of Neurobiology of Behavior, University of California Irvine, 1400 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Shauna M Stark
- Department of Neurobiology of Behavior, University of California Irvine, 1400 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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26
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Kovalchuk A, Mychasiuk R, Muhammad A, Hossain S, Ghose A, Kirkby C, Ghasroddashti E, Kovalchuk O, Kolb B. Complex housing partially mitigates low dose radiation-induced changes in brain and behavior in rats. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022; 40:109-124. [DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: In recent years, much effort has been focused on developing new strategies for the prevention and mitigation of adverse radiation effects on healthy tissues and organs, including the brain. The brain is very sensitive to radiation effects, albeit as it is highly plastic. Hence, deleterious radiation effects may be potentially reversible. Because radiation exposure affects dendritic space, reduces the brain’s ability to produce new neurons, and alters behavior, mitigation efforts should focus on restoring these parameters. To that effect, environmental enrichment through complex housing (CH) and exercise may provide a plausible avenue for exploration of protection from brain irradiation. CH is a much broader concept than exercise alone, and constitutes exposure of animals to positive physical and social stimulation that is superior to their routine housing and care conditions. We hypothesized that CHs may lessen harmful neuroanatomical and behavioural effects of low dose radiation exposure. Methods: We analyzed and compared cerebral morphology in animals exposed to low dose head, bystander (liver), and scatter irradiation on rats housed in either the environmental enrichment condos or standard housing. Results: Enriched condo conditions ameliorated radiation-induced neuroanatomical changes. Moreover, irradiated animals that were kept in enriched CH condos displayed fewer radiation-induced behavioural deficits than those housed in standard conditions. Conclusions: Animal model-based environmental enrichment strategies, such as CH, are excellent surrogate models for occupational and exercise therapy in humans, and consequently have significant translational possibility. Our study may thus serve as a roadmap for the development of new, easy, safe and cost-effective methods to prevent and mitigate low-dose radiation effects on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna. Kovalchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | | | - Arif. Muhammad
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Shakhawat. Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Abhijit. Ghose
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Charles. Kirkby
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Esmaeel. Ghasroddashti
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olga. Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan. Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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27
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Bishawi M, Lee FH, Abraham DM, Glass C, Blocker SJ, Cox DJ, Brown ZD, Rockman HA, Mao L, Slaba TC, Dewhirst MW, Truskey GA, Bowles DE. Late onset cardiovascular dysfunction in adult mice resulting from galactic cosmic ray exposure. iScience 2022; 25:104086. [PMID: 35378858 PMCID: PMC8976132 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex and inaccessible space radiation environment poses an unresolved risk to astronaut cardiovascular health during long-term space exploration missions. To model this risk, healthy male c57BL/6 mice aged six months (corresponding to an astronaut of 34 years) were exposed to simplified galactic cosmic ray (GCR5-ion; 5-ion sim) irradiation at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratories (BNL). Multi-modal cardiovascular functional assessments performed longitudinally and terminally revealed significant impairment in cardiac function in mice exposed to GCR5-ion compared to unirradiated controls, gamma irradiation, or single mono-energetic ions (56Fe or 16O). GCR5-ion-treated mice exhibited increased arterial elastance likely mediated by disruption of elastin fibers. This study suggests that a single exposure to GCR5-ion is associated with deterioration in cardiac structure and function that becomes apparent long after exposure, likely associated with increased morbidity and mortality. These findings represent important health considerations when preparing for successful space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muath Bishawi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Franklin H. Lee
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dennis M. Abraham
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carolyn Glass
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Daniel J. Cox
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zachary D. Brown
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Howard A. Rockman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lan Mao
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tony C. Slaba
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, USA
| | - Mark W. Dewhirst
- Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Dawn E. Bowles
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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28
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Lalkovicova M. Neuroprotective agents effective against radiation damage of central nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:1885-1892. [PMID: 35142663 PMCID: PMC8848589 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335137] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation caused by medical treatments, nuclear events or even space flights can irreversibly damage structure and function of brain cells. That can result in serious brain damage, with memory and behavior disorders, or even fatal oncologic or neurodegenerative illnesses. Currently used treatments and drugs are mostly targeting biochemical processes of cell apoptosis, radiation toxicity, neuroinflammation, and conditions such as cognitive-behavioral disturbances or others that result from the radiation insult. With most drugs, the side effects and potential toxicity are also to be considered. Therefore, many agents have not been approved for clinical use yet. In this review, we focus on the latest and most effective agents that have been used in animal and also in the human research, and clinical treatments. They could have the potential therapeutical use in cases of radiation damage of central nervous system, and also in prevention considering their radioprotecting effect of nervous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Lalkovicova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia; Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Physics, Košice, Slovakia
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29
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Kim H, Shin Y, Kim DH. Mechanobiological Implications of Cancer Progression in Space. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:740009. [PMID: 34957091 PMCID: PMC8692837 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.740009] [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: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The human body is normally adapted to maintain homeostasis in a terrestrial environment. The novel conditions of a space environment introduce challenges that changes the cellular response to its surroundings. Such an alteration causes physical changes in the extracellular microenvironment, inducing the secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β) from cancer cells to enhance cancer malignancy. Cancer is one of the most prominent cell types to be affected by mechanical cues via active interaction with the tumor microenvironment. However, the mechanism by which cancer cells mechanotransduce in the space environment, as well as the influence of this process on human health, have not been fully elucidated. Due to the growing interest in space biology, this article reviews cancer cell responses to the representative conditions altered in space: microgravity, decompression, and irradiation. Interestingly, cytokine and gene expression that assist in tumor survival, invasive phenotypic transformation, and cancer cell proliferation are upregulated when exposed to both simulated and actual space conditions. The necessity of further research on space mechanobiology such as simulating more complex in vivo experiments or finding other mechanical cues that may be encountered during spaceflight are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyondeog Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yun Shin
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong-Hwee Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Integrative Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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30
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Maier I, Ruegger PM, Deutschmann J, Helbich TH, Pietschmann P, Schiestl RH, Borneman J. Particle Radiation Side-Effects: Intestinal Microbiota Composition Shapes Interferon-γ-Induced Osteo-Immunogenicity. Radiat Res 2021; 197:289-297. [PMID: 34905619 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00068.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Microbiota can both negatively and positively impact radiation-induced bone loss. Our prior research showed that compared to mice with conventional gut microbiota (CM), mice with restricted gut microbiota (RM) reduced inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in bone marrow, interleukin (IL)-17 in blood, and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) in bone marrow under anti-IL-17 treatment. We showed that Muribaculum intestinale was more abundant in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from the small intestine of female RM mice and positively associated with augmented skeletal bone structure. Female C57BL/6J pun RM mice, which were injected with anti-IL-17 antibody one day before exposure to 1.5 Gy 28Si ions of 850 MeV/u, showed high trabecular numbers in tibiae at 6 weeks postirradiation. Irradiated CM mice were investigated for lower interferon-γ and IL-17 levels in the small intestine than RM mice. IL-17 blockage resulted in bacterial indicator phylotypes being different between both microbiota groups before and after irradiation. Analysis of the fecal bacteria were performed in relation to bone quality and body weight, showing reduced tibia cortical thickness in irradiated CM mice (-15%) vs. irradiated RM mice (-9.2%). Correlation analyses identified relationships among trabecular bone parameters (TRI-BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, Tb.Sp) and Bacteroides massiliensis, Muribaculum sp. and Prevotella denticola. Turicibacter sp. was found directly correlated with trabecular separation in anti-IL-17 treated mice, whereas an unidentified Bacteroidetes correlated with trabecular thickness in anti-IL-17 neutralized and radiation-exposed mice. We demonstrated radiation-induced osteolytic damage to correlate with bacterial indicator phylotypes of the intestinal microbiota composition, and these relationships were determined from the previously discovered dose-dependent particle radiation effects on cell proliferation in bone tissue. New translational approaches were designed to investigate dynamic changes of gut microbiota in correlation with conditions of treatment and disease as well as mechanisms of systemic side-effects in radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Maier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Paul M Ruegger
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Julia Deutschmann
- Department for Radiologic Technology, University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt for Business and Engineering Ltd., Lower Austria, Austria
| | - Thomas H Helbich
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Pietschmann
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert H Schiestl
- Departments of Pathology and Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - James Borneman
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
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31
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Mhatre SD, Iyer J, Puukila S, Paul AM, Tahimic CGT, Rubinstein L, Lowe M, Alwood JS, Sowa MB, Bhattacharya S, Globus RK, Ronca AE. Neuro-consequences of the spaceflight environment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:908-935. [PMID: 34767877 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As human space exploration advances to establish a permanent presence beyond the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with NASA's Artemis mission, researchers are striving to understand and address the health challenges of living and working in the spaceflight environment. Exposure to ionizing radiation, microgravity, isolation and other spaceflight hazards pose significant risks to astronauts. Determining neurobiological and neurobehavioral responses, understanding physiological responses under Central Nervous System (CNS) control, and identifying putative mechanisms to inform countermeasure development are critically important to ensuring brain and behavioral health of crew on long duration missions. Here we provide a detailed and comprehensive review of the effects of spaceflight and of ground-based spaceflight analogs, including simulated weightlessness, social isolation, and ionizing radiation on humans and animals. Further, we discuss dietary and non-dietary countermeasures including artificial gravity and antioxidants, among others. Significant future work is needed to ensure that neural, sensorimotor, cognitive and other physiological functions are maintained during extended deep space missions to avoid potentially catastrophic health and safety outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA; COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Stephanie Puukila
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA; Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Amber M Paul
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA; Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98154, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Marianne B Sowa
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Ruth K Globus
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
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Jones CB, Peiffer LB, Davis CM, Sfanos KS. Examining the Effects of 4He Exposure on the Gut-Brain Axis. Radiat Res 2021; 197:242-252. [PMID: 34752622 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00285.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Beyond low-Earth orbit, space radiation poses significant risks to astronaut health. Previous studies have shown that the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome changes upon exposure to high-linear energy transfer radiation. Interestingly, radiation-induced shifts in GI microbiota composition are linked to various neuropsychological disorders. Herein, we aimed to study changes in GI microbiota and behaviors of rats exposed to whole-body radiation (0, 5 or 25 cGy 4He, 250 MeV/n) at approximately 6 months of age. Fecal samples were collected 24 h prior to 4He irradiation and 24 h and 7 days postirradiation for quantitative PCR analyses to assess fecal levels of spore-forming bacteria (SFB), Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Rats were also tested in the social odor recognition memory (SORM) test at day 7 after 4He exposure. A subset of rats was euthanized 90 min after completion of the SORM test, and GI tissue from small intestine to colon were prepared for examining overall histological changes and immunohistochemical staining for serotonin (5-HT). No notable pathological changes were observed in GI tissues. Akkermansia spp. and SFB were significantly decreased in the 25 cGy group at 24 h and 7 days postirradiation compared to pre-exposure, respectively. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. showed no significant changes. 5-HT production was significantly higher in the proximal small intestine and the cecum in the 25 cGy group compared to the sham group. The 25 cGy group exhibited deficits in recognition in SORM testing at day 7 postirradiation. Taken together, these results suggest a connection between GI microbiome composition, serotonin production, and neurobehavioral performance, and that this connection may be disrupted upon exposure to 25 cGy of 4He ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carli B Jones
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lauren B Peiffer
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Catherine M Davis
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Karen S Sfanos
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Prelich MT, Matar M, Gokoglu SA, Gallo CA, Schepelmann A, Iqbal AK, Lewandowski BE, Britten RA, Prabhu RK, Myers JG. Predicting Space Radiation Single Ion Exposure in Rodents: A Machine Learning Approach. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:715433. [PMID: 34720896 PMCID: PMC8555470 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.715433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents a data-driven machine learning approach to predict individual Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) ion exposure for 4He, 16O, 28Si, 48Ti, or 56Fe up to 150 mGy, based on Attentional Set-shifting (ATSET) experimental tests. The ATSET assay consists of a series of cognitive performance tasks on irradiated male Wistar rats. The GCR ion doses represent the expected cumulative radiation astronauts may receive during a Mars mission on an individual ion basis. The primary objective is to synthesize and assess predictive models on a per-subject level through Machine Learning (ML) classifiers. The raw cognitive performance data from individual rodent subjects are used as features to train the models and to explore the capabilities of three different ML techniques for elucidating a range of correlations between received radiation on rodents and their performance outcomes. The analysis employs scores of selected input features and different normalization approaches which yield varying degrees of model performance. The current study shows that support vector machine, Gaussian naive Bayes, and random forest models are capable of predicting individual ion exposure using ATSET scores where corresponding Matthews correlation coefficients and F1 scores reflect model performance exceeding random chance. The study suggests a decremental effect on cognitive performance in rodents due to ≤150 mGy of single ion exposure, inasmuch as the models can discriminate between 0 mGy and any exposure level in the performance score feature space. A number of observations about the utility and limitations in specific normalization routines and evaluation scores are examined as well as best practices for ML with imbalanced datasets observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mona Matar
- NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | | | | | - Asad K Iqbal
- ZIN Technologies, Inc., Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - R K Prabhu
- Universities Space Research Association, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jerry G Myers
- NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
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34
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Cucinotta FA, Schimmerling W, Blakely EA, Hei TK. A proposed change to astronaut exposures limits is a giant leap backwards for radiation protection. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 31:59-70. [PMID: 34689951 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Addressing the uncertainties in assessing health risks from cosmic ray heavy ions is a major scientific challenge recognized by many previous reports by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) advising the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These reports suggested a series of steps to pursue the scientific basis for space radiation protection, including the implementation of age and sex dependent risk assessments and exposure limits appropriate for a small population of radiation workers, the evaluation of uncertainties in risk projections, and developing a vigorous research program in heavy ion radiobiology to reduce uncertainties and discover effective countermeasures. The assessment of uncertainties in assessing risk provides protection against changing assessments of risk, reveals limitations in information used in space mission operations, and provides the impetus to reduce uncertainties and discover the true level of risk and possible effectiveness of countermeasures through research. However, recommendations of a recent NAS report, in an effort to minimize differences in age and sex on flight opportunities, suggest a 600 mSv career effective dose limit based on a median estimate to reach 3% cancer fatality for 35-year old females. The NAS report does not call out examples where females would be excluded from space missions planned in the current decade using the current radiation limits at NASA. In addition, there are minimal considerations of the level of risk to be encountered at this exposure level with respect to the uncertainties of heavy ion radiobiology, and risks of cancer, as well as cognitive detriments and circulatory diseases. Furthermore, their recommendation to limit Sieverts and not risk in conjunction with a waiver process is essentially a recommendation to remove radiation limits for astronauts. We discuss issues with several of the NAS recommendations with the conclusion that the recommendations could have negative impacts on crew health and safety, and violate the three principles of radiation protection (to prevent clinically significant deterministic effects, limit stochastic effects, and practice ALARA), which would be a giant leap backwards for radiation protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis A Cucinotta
- Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | | | | | - Tom K Hei
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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35
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Tamaddondoust RN, Wang Y, Jafarnejad SM, Graber TE, Alain T. The highs and lows of ionizing radiation and its effects on protein synthesis. Cell Signal 2021; 89:110169. [PMID: 34662715 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is a constant feature of our environment and one that can dramatically affect organismal health and development. Although the impacts of high-doses of IR on mammalian cells and systems have been broadly explored, there are still challenges in accurately quantifying biological responses to IR, especially in the low-dose range to which most individuals are exposed in their lifetime. The resulting uncertainty has led to the entrenchment of conservative radioprotection policies around the world. Thus, uncovering long-sought molecular mechanisms and tissue responses that are targeted by IR could lead to more informed policymaking and propose new therapeutic avenues for a variety of pathologies. One often overlooked target of IR is mRNA translation, a highly regulated cellular process that consumes more than 40% of the cell's energy. In response to environmental stimuli, regulation of mRNA translation allows for precise and rapid changes to the cellular proteome, and unsurprisingly high-dose of IR was shown to trigger a severe reprogramming of global protein synthesis allowing the cell to conserve energy by preventing the synthesis of unneeded proteins. Nonetheless, under these conditions, certain mRNAs encoding specific proteins are translationally favoured to produce the factors essential to repair the cell or send it down the path of no return through programmed cell death. Understanding the mechanisms controlling protein synthesis in response to varying doses of IR could provide novel insights into how this stress-mediated cellular adaptation is regulated and potentially uncover novel targets for radiosensitization or radioprotection. Here, we review the current literature on the effects of IR at both high- and low-dose on the mRNA translation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosette Niloufar Tamaddondoust
- Molecular Biomedicine Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Radiobiology and Health, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Radiobiology and Health, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seyed Mehdi Jafarnejad
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Tyson E Graber
- Molecular Biomedicine Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tommy Alain
- Molecular Biomedicine Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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36
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Arone A, Ivaldi T, Loganovsky K, Palermo S, Parra E, Flamini W, Marazziti D. The Burden of Space Exploration on the Mental Health of Astronauts: A Narrative Review. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2021; 18:237-246. [PMID: 34984067 PMCID: PMC8696290 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20210502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Space travel, a topic of global interest, has always been a fascinating matter, as its potential appears to be infinite. The development of advanced technologies has made it possible to achieve objectives previously considered dreams and to widen more and more the limits that the human species can overcome. The dangers that astronauts may face are not minimal, and the impacts on physical and mental health may be significant. Specifically, symptoms of emotional dysregulation, cognitive dysfunction, disruption of sleep-wake rhythms, visual phenomena and significant changes in body weight, along with morphological brain changes, are some of the most frequently reported occurrences during space missions. Given the renewed interest and investment on space explorations, the aim of this paper was thus to summarize the evidence of the currently available literature, and to offer an overview of the factors that might impair the psychological well-being and mental health of astronauts. To achieve the goal of this paper, the authors accessed some of the main databases of scientific literature and collected evidence from articles that successfully fulfilled the purpose of this work. The results of this review demonstrated how the psychological and psychiatric problems occurring during space missions are manifold and related to a multiplicity of variables, thus requiring further attention from the scientific community as new challenges lie ahead, and prevention of mental health of space travelers should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Arone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tea Ivaldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Konstantin Loganovsky
- Department of Radiation Psychoneurology, Institute for Clinical Radiology, State Institution “National Research Centre for Radiation Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”
| | - Stefania Palermo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Parra
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Walter Flamini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
- Unicamillus—Saint Camillus International University of Medical and Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
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Matar M, Gokoglu SA, Prelich MT, Gallo CA, Iqbal AK, Britten RA, Prabhu RK, Myers JG. Machine Learning Models to Predict Cognitive Impairment of Rodents Subjected to Space Radiation. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:713131. [PMID: 34588962 PMCID: PMC8473791 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.713131] [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: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This research uses machine-learned computational analyses to predict the cognitive performance impairment of rats induced by irradiation. The experimental data in the analyses is from a rodent model exposed to ≤15 cGy of individual galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) ions: 4He, 16O, 28Si, 48Ti, or 56Fe, expected for a Lunar or Mars mission. This work investigates rats at a subject-based level and uses performance scores taken before irradiation to predict impairment in attentional set-shifting (ATSET) data post-irradiation. Here, the worst performing rats of the control group define the impairment thresholds based on population analyses via cumulative distribution functions, leading to the labeling of impairment for each subject. A significant finding is the exhibition of a dose-dependent increasing probability of impairment for 1 to 10 cGy of 28Si or 56Fe in the simple discrimination (SD) stage of the ATSET, and for 1 to 10 cGy of 56Fe in the compound discrimination (CD) stage. On a subject-based level, implementing machine learning (ML) classifiers such as the Gaussian naïve Bayes, support vector machine, and artificial neural networks identifies rats that have a higher tendency for impairment after GCR exposure. The algorithms employ the experimental prescreen performance scores as multidimensional input features to predict each rodent's susceptibility to cognitive impairment due to space radiation exposure. The receiver operating characteristic and the precision-recall curves of the ML models show a better prediction of impairment when 56Fe is the ion in question in both SD and CD stages. They, however, do not depict impairment due to 4He in SD and 28Si in CD, suggesting no dose-dependent impairment response in these cases. One key finding of our study is that prescreen performance scores can be used to predict the ATSET performance impairments. This result is significant to crewed space missions as it supports the potential of predicting an astronaut's impairment in a specific task before spaceflight through the implementation of appropriately trained ML tools. Future research can focus on constructing ML ensemble methods to integrate the findings from the methodologies implemented in this study for more robust predictions of cognitive decrements due to space radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Matar
- NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | | | | | - Asad K. Iqbal
- ZIN Technologies, Inc., Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Richard A. Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - R. K. Prabhu
- Universities Space Research Association, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jerry G. Myers
- NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
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38
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Klein PM, Alaghband Y, Doan NL, Ru N, Drayson OGG, Baulch JE, Kramár EA, Wood MA, Soltesz I, Limoli CL. Acute, Low-Dose Neutron Exposures Adversely Impact Central Nervous System Function. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9020. [PMID: 34445726 PMCID: PMC8396607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A recognized risk of long-duration space travel arises from the elevated exposure astronauts face from galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), which is composed of a diverse array of energetic particles. There is now abundant evidence that exposures to many different charged particle GCR components within acute time frames are sufficient to induce central nervous system deficits that span from the molecular to the whole animal behavioral scale. Enhanced spacecraft shielding can lessen exposures to charged particle GCR components, but may conversely elevate neutron radiation levels. We previously observed that space-relevant neutron radiation doses, chronically delivered at dose-rates expected during planned human exploratory missions, can disrupt hippocampal neuronal excitability, perturb network long-term potentiation and negatively impact cognitive behavior. We have now determined that acute exposures to similar low doses (18 cGy) of neutron radiation can also lead to suppressed hippocampal synaptic signaling, as well as decreased learning and memory performance in male mice. Our results demonstrate that similar nervous system hazards arise from neutron irradiation regardless of the exposure time course. While not always in an identical manner, neutron irradiation disrupts many of the same central nervous system elements as acute charged particle GCR exposures. The risks arising from neutron irradiation are therefore important to consider when determining the overall hazards astronauts will face from the space radiation environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Klein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (P.M.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Yasaman Alaghband
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
| | - Ngoc-Lien Doan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
| | - Ning Ru
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
| | - Olivia G. G. Drayson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
| | - Janet E. Baulch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
| | - Enikö A. Kramár
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (E.A.K.); (M.A.W.)
| | - Marcelo A. Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (E.A.K.); (M.A.W.)
| | - Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (P.M.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Charles L. Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (Y.A.); (N.-L.D.); (N.R.); (O.G.G.D.); (J.E.B.)
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Tinganelli W, Luoni F, Durante M. What can space radiation protection learn from radiation oncology? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 30:82-95. [PMID: 34281668 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Protection from cosmic radiation of crews of long-term space missions is now becoming an urgent requirement to allow a safe colonization of the moon and Mars. Epidemiology provides little help to quantify the risk, because the astronaut group is small and as yet mostly involved in low-Earth orbit mission, whilst the usual cohorts used for radiation protection on Earth (e.g. atomic bomb survivors) were exposed to a radiation quality substantially different from the energetic charged particle field found in space. However, there are over 260,000 patients treated with accelerated protons or heavier ions for different types of cancer, and this cohort may be useful for quantifying the effects of space-like radiation in humans. Space radiation protection and particle therapy research also share the same tools and devices, such as accelerators and detectors, as well as several research topics, from nuclear fragmentation cross sections to the radiobiology of densely ionizing radiation. The transfer of the information from the cancer radiotherapy field to space is manifestly complicated, yet the two field should strengthen their relationship and exchange methods and data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Tinganelli
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Francesca Luoni
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Darmstadt, Germany; Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marco Durante
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Darmstadt, Germany; Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Darmstadt, Germany.
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Desai RI, Kangas BD, Limoli CL. Nonhuman primate models in the study of spaceflight stressors: Past contributions and future directions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 30:9-23. [PMID: 34281669 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Studies in rodents suggest that exposure to distinct spaceflight stressors (e.g., space radiation, isolation/confinement, microgravity) may have a profound impact on an astronaut's ability to perform both simple and complex tasks related to neurocognitive performance, central nervous system (CNS) and vestibular/sensorimotor function. However, limited information is currently available on how combined exposure to the spaceflight stressors will impact CNS-related neurocognitive and neurobiological function in-flight and, as well, terrestrial risk of manifesting neurodegenerative conditions when astronauts return to earth. This information gap has significantly hindered our ability to realistically estimate spaceflight hazard risk to the CNS associated with deep space exploration. Notwithstanding a significant body of work with rodents, there have been very few direct investigations of the impact of these spaceflight stressors in combination and, to our knowledge, no such investigations using nonhuman primate (NHP) animal models. In view of the widely-recognized translational value of NHP data in advancing biomedical discoveries, this research deficiency limits our understanding regarding the impact of individual and combined spaceflight stressors on CNS-related neurobiological function. In this review, we address this knowledge gap by conducting a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of existing research on the impact of exposure to spaceflight stressors on NHP CNS-related function. This review is structured to: a) provide an overarching view of the past contributions of NHPs to spaceflight research as well as the strengths, limitations, and translational value of NHP research in its own right and within the existing context of NASA-relevant rodent research; b) highlight specific conclusions based on the published literature and areas needed for future endeavors; c) describe critical research gaps and priorities in NHP research to facilitate NASA's efforts to bridge the key knowledge gaps that currently exist in translating rodent data to humans; and d) provide a roadmap of recommendations for NASA regarding the availability, validity, strengths, and limitations of various NHP models for future targeted research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev I Desai
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Brian D Kangas
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Durante M. Failla Memorial Lecture: The Many Facets of Heavy-Ion Science. Radiat Res 2021; 195:403-411. [PMID: 33979440 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00029.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Heavy ions are riveting in radiation biophysics, particularly in the areas of radiotherapy and space radiation protection. Accelerated charged particles can indeed penetrate deeply in the human body to sterilize tumors, exploiting the favorable depth-dose distribution of ions compared to conventional X rays. Conversely, the high biological effectiveness in inducing late effects presents a hazard for manned space exploration. Even after half a century of accelerator-based experiments, clinical applications and flight research, these two topics remain both fascinating and baffling. Heavy-ion therapy is very expensive, and despite the clinical success it remains controversial. Research on late radiation morbidity in spaceflight led to a reduction in uncertainty, but also pointed to new risks previously underestimated, such as possible damage to the central nervous system. Recently, heavy ions have also been used in other, unanticipated biomedical fields, such as treatment of heart arrhythmia or inactivation of viruses for vaccine development. Heavy-ion science nicely merges physics and biology and remains an extraordinary research field for the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany; and Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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42
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Tidmore A, Dutta SM, Fesshaye AS, Russell WK, Duncan VD, Britten RA. Space Radiation-Induced Alterations in the Hippocampal Ubiquitin-Proteome System. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147713. [PMID: 34299332 PMCID: PMC8304141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of rodents to <20 cGy Space Radiation (SR) impairs performance in several hippocampus-dependent cognitive tasks, including spatial memory. However, there is considerable inter-individual susceptibility to develop SR-induced spatial memory impairment. In this study, a robust label-free mass spectrometry (MS)-based unbiased proteomic profiling approach was used to characterize the composition of the hippocampal proteome in adult male Wistar rats exposed to 15 cGy of 1 GeV/n 48Ti and their sham counterparts. Unique protein signatures were identified in the hippocampal proteome of: (1) sham rats, (2) Ti-exposed rats, (3) Ti-exposed rats that had sham-like spatial memory performance, and (4) Ti-exposed rats that impaired spatial memory performance. Approximately 14% (159) of the proteins detected in hippocampal proteome of sham rats were not detected in the Ti-exposed rats. We explored the possibility that the loss of the Sham-only proteins may arise as a result of SR-induced changes in protein homeostasis. SR-exposure was associated with a switch towards increased pro-ubiquitination proteins from that seen in Sham. These data suggest that the role of the ubiquitin-proteome system as a determinant of SR-induced neurocognitive deficits needs to be more thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Tidmore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (A.T.); (A.S.F.); (V.D.D.)
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology; Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroinflammatory and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Sucharita M. Dutta
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology; Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Arriyam S. Fesshaye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (A.T.); (A.S.F.); (V.D.D.)
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology; Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroinflammatory and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - William K. Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Vania D. Duncan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (A.T.); (A.S.F.); (V.D.D.)
| | - Richard A. Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (A.T.); (A.S.F.); (V.D.D.)
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology; Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroinflammatory and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
- Correspondence:
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43
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Zhang Z, Xue Y, Yang J, Shang P, Yuan X. Biological Effects of Hypomagnetic Field: Ground-Based Data for Space Exploration. Bioelectromagnetics 2021; 42:516-531. [PMID: 34245597 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The future of mankind is tied to the exploration and eventual colonization of space. Currently, people have resided in orbit at a space station. In the future, we will have opportunities to stay on the moon, Mars, or in deeper space, where astronauts are exposed to the hypomagnetic field (HMF), which refers to an extremely weak magnetic field environment compared with the geomagnetic field. However, the potential risks of HMF exposure to human health are often overlooked. Here, we summarize the literature related to the biological effects of HMF and calculate the magnitude of the effect. Briefly, HMF impairs multiple animal systems, especially in the central nervous system. Additionally, HMF is a stress factor in plant growth and reproduction. Finally, HMF combined with other space environments, such as radiation and microgravity, can affect organisms. Further studies are required to explore (i) countermeasures to the adverse effects of HMF, (ii) combined effects of HMF with other factors, and (iii) the intensity-effect relationship. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyuan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanru Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiancheng Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Spine Surgery, The People's Hospital of Longhua, Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Shang
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Research & Development, Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xichen Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Systems for Aerospace, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
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44
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An easy-to-use function to assess deep space radiation in human brains. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11687. [PMID: 34083566 PMCID: PMC8175378 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90695-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Health risks from radiation exposure in space are an important factor for astronauts’ safety as they venture on long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars. It is important to assess the radiation level inside the human brain to evaluate the possible hazardous effects on the central nervous system especially during solar energetic particle (SEP) events. We use a realistic model of the head/brain structure and calculate the radiation deposit therein by realistic SEP events, also under various shielding scenarios. We then determine the relation between the radiation dose deposited in different parts of the brain and the properties of the SEP events and obtain some simple and ready-to-use functions which can be used to quickly and reliably forecast the event dose in the brain. Such a novel tool can be used from fast nowcasting of the consequences of SEP events to optimization of shielding systems and other mitigation strategies of astronauts in space.
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45
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El-Missiry MA, Shabana S, Ghazala SJ, Othman AI, Amer ME. Melatonin exerts a neuroprotective effect against γ-radiation-induced brain injury in the rat through the modulation of neurotransmitters, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:31108-31121. [PMID: 33598836 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12951-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of melatonin (MLT) against brain injury in rats undergoing whole-body exposure to γ-radiation. Male Wistar rats were whole-body exposed to 4-Gy γ-radiation from a cesium-137 source. MLT (10 mg/kg) was orally administrated 30 minutes before irradiation and continued once daily for 1 and 7 days after exposure. In the irradiated rats, the plasma levels of glutamate were increased, while the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were decreased, and MLT improved the disturbed glutamate and GABA levels. These effects paralleled an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-a) and C-reactive protein as well as a decrease in IL-10 in the plasma of the irradiated rats. MLT treatment markedly reduced these effects, indicating its anti-inflammatory impact. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a remarkable upregulation of caspase-3 and P53 expression, indicating the increased apoptosis in the brain of irradiated rats. MLT significantly downregulated the expression of these parameters compared with that in the irradiated rats, indicating its anti-apoptotic effect. Oxidative stress is developed in the brain as evidenced by increased levels of malondialdehyde; decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; and decreased content of glutathione in the brain. MLT remarkably ameliorated the development of oxidative stress in the brain of the irradiated rats indicating its antioxidant impact. The histopathological results were consistent with the biochemical and immunohistochemical results and showed that MLT remarkably protected the histological structure of brain tissue compared with that in the irradiated rats. In conclusion, MLT showed potential neuroprotective properties by increasing the release of neurotransmitters, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory factors and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in the brain of irradiated rats. MLT can be beneficial in clinical and occupational settings requiring radiation exposure; however, additional studies are required to elucidate its neuroprotective effect in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sameh Shabana
- Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sara J Ghazala
- Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Azza I Othman
- Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Maggie E Amer
- Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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46
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Mehner C, Krishnan S, Chou J, Freeman ML, Freeman WD, Patel T, Turnbull MT. Real versus simulated galactic cosmic radiation for investigating cancer risk in the hematopoietic system - are we comparing apples to apples? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:8-14. [PMID: 33888292 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Deep space exploration missions need strategies to mitigate the potentially harmful exposure to galactic cosmic radiation. This form of radiation can cause significant damage to biological systems and organisms, which include radiation-induced carcinogenesis in the hematopoietic system. Ongoing studies investigate these effects using cell- and animal-based studies in low earth orbit. The logistic challenges and costs involved with sending biological specimens to space have prompted the development of surrogate ground-based radiation experiments to study the mechanisms of biological injury and cancer risk. However, simulating galactic cosmic radiation has proven difficult and current studies are only partially succeeding at replicating the complexity of this radiation and its downstream injury pathways. Accurate simulation of chronic, low dose galactic radiation will improve our ability to test mitigation strategies such as drug development and improved shielding materials that could be crucial and essential for successful space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mehner
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - William D Freeman
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Tushar Patel
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States.
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47
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Zwart SR, Mulavara AP, Williams TJ, George K, Smith SM. The role of nutrition in space exploration: Implications for sensorimotor, cognition, behavior and the cerebral changes due to the exposure to radiation, altered gravity, and isolation/confinement hazards of spaceflight. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:307-331. [PMID: 33915203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Multi-year crewed space exploration missions are now on the horizon; therefore, it is important that we understand and mitigate the physiological effects of spaceflight. The spaceflight hazards-radiation, isolation, confinement, and altered gravity-have the potential to contribute to neuroinflammation and produce long-term cognitive and behavioral effects-while the fifth hazard, distance from earth, limits capabilities to mitigate these risks. Accumulated evidence suggests that nutrition has an important role in optimizing cognition and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation. Here we review the nutritional perspective of how these spaceflight hazards affect the astronaut's brain, behavior, performance, and sensorimotor function. We also assess potential nutrient/nutritional countermeasures that could prevent or mitigate spaceflight risks and ensure that crewmembers remain healthy and perform well during their missions. Just as history has taught us the importance of nutrition in terrestrial exploration, we must understand the role of nutrition in the development and mitigation of spaceflight risks before humans can successfully explore beyond low-Earth orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Zwart
- Univerity of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | | | - Thomas J Williams
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Mail Code SK3, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
| | - Kerry George
- KBR, 2400 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
| | - Scott M Smith
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Mail Code SK3, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
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48
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Chronic Low Dose Neutron Exposure Results in Altered Neurotransmission Properties of the Hippocampus-Prefrontal Cortex Axis in Both Mice and Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073668. [PMID: 33915974 PMCID: PMC8036585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The proposed deep space exploration to the moon and later to Mars will result in astronauts receiving significant chronic exposures to space radiation (SR). SR exposure results in multiple neurocognitive impairments. Recently, our cross-species (mouse/rat) studies reported impaired associative memory formation in both species following a chronic 6-month low dose exposure to a mixed field of neutrons (1 mGy/day for a total dose pf 18 cGy). In the present study, we report neutron exposure induced synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex, accompanied by microglial activation and significant synaptic loss in the hippocampus. In a parallel study, neutron exposure was also found to alter fluorescence assisted single synaptosome LTP (FASS-LTP) in the hippocampus of rats, that may be related to a reduced ability to insert AMPAR into the post-synaptic membrane, which may arise from increased phosphorylation of the serine 845 residue of the GluA1 subunit. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time, that low dose chronic neutron irradiation impacts homeostatic synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal-cortical circuit in two rodent species, and that the ability to successfully encode associative recognition memory is a dynamic, multicircuit process, possibly involving compensatory changes in AMPAR density on the synaptic surface.
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49
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Britten RA, Wellman LL, Sanford LD. Progressive increase in the complexity and translatability of rodent testing to assess space-radiation induced cognitive impairment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:159-174. [PMID: 33766676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ground-based rodent models have established that space radiation doses (approximately those that astronauts will be exposed to on a mission to Mars) significantly impair performance in a wide range of cognitive tasks. Over the last 40 years there has been a progressive increase in both the complexity and the translatability (to humans) of the cognitive tasks investigated. This review outlines technical and conceptual advances in space radiation rodent testing approaches, along with the advances in analytical approaches, that will make data from ground based studies more amenable to probabilistic risk analysis. While great progress has been made in determining the impact of space radiation on many advanced cognitive processes, challenges remain that need to be addressed prior to commencing deep space missions. A summary of on-going attempts to address existing knowledge gaps and the critical role that rodent studies will have in establishing the impact of space radiation on even more complex (human) cognitive tasks are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA; Leroy T Canoles Jr. Cancer Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.
| | - Laurie L Wellman
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA; Department of Pathology & Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA; Department of Pathology & Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
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50
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Laiakis EC, Shuryak I, Deziel A, Wang YW, Barnette BL, Yu Y, Ullrich RL, Fornace AJ, Emmett MR. Effects of Low Dose Space Radiation Exposures on the Splenic Metabolome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3070. [PMID: 33802822 PMCID: PMC8002539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Future space missions will include a return to the Moon and long duration deep space roundtrip missions to Mars. Leaving the protection that Low Earth Orbit provides will unavoidably expose astronauts to higher cumulative doses of space radiation, in addition to other stressors, e.g., microgravity. Immune regulation is known to be impacted by both radiation and spaceflight and it remains to be seen whether prolonged effects that will be encountered in deep space can have an adverse impact on health. In this study, we investigated the effects in the overall metabolism of three different low dose radiation exposures (γ-rays, 16O, and 56Fe) in spleens from male C57BL/6 mice at 1, 2, and 4 months after exposure. Forty metabolites were identified with significant enrichment in purine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acids, acylcarnitines, and amino acids. Early perturbations were more prominent in the γ irradiated samples, while later responses shifted towards more prominent responses in groups with high energy particle irradiations. Regression analysis showed a positive correlation of the abundance of identified fatty acids with time and a negative association with γ-rays, while the degradation pathway of purines was positively associated with time. Taken together, there is a strong suggestion of mitochondrial implication and the possibility of long-term effects on DNA repair and nucleotide pools following radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evagelia C. Laiakis
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (A.D.); (Y.-W.W.); (A.J.F.J.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Annabella Deziel
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (A.D.); (Y.-W.W.); (A.J.F.J.)
| | - Yi-Wen Wang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (A.D.); (Y.-W.W.); (A.J.F.J.)
| | - Brooke L. Barnette
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (B.L.B.); (Y.Y.); (M.R.E.)
| | - Yongjia Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (B.L.B.); (Y.Y.); (M.R.E.)
| | | | - Albert J. Fornace
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (A.D.); (Y.-W.W.); (A.J.F.J.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Mark R. Emmett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (B.L.B.); (Y.Y.); (M.R.E.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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