Determination of Lymphocyte Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Values in Apparently Healthy Children by means of Age and Sex

Investigating Chromosomal Radiosensitivity in Inborn Errors of Immunity: Insights from DNA Repair Disorders and Beyond

Human inborn errors of immunity (IEI) represent a diverse group of genetic disorders affecting the innate and/or adaptive immune system. Some IEI entities comprise defects in DNA repair factors, resulting in (severe) combined immunodeficiencies, bone marrow failure, predisposition to malignancies, and potentially resulting in radiosensitivity (RS). While other IEI subcategories such as common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and immune dysregulation disorders also associate with lymphoproliferative and malignant complications, the occurrence of RS phenotypes in the broader IEI population is not well characterized. Nonetheless, identifying RS in IEI patients through functional testing is crucial to reconsider radiation-related therapeutic protocols and to improve overall patient management. This study aimed to investigate chromosomal RS in a diverse cohort of 107 IEI patients using the G0 cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) assay. Our findings indicate significant variability in RS across specific genetic and phenotypical subgroups. Severe RS was detected in all ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) patients, a FANCI deficient and ERCC6L2 deficient patient, but not in any other IEI patient included in this cohort. Age emerged as an influencing factor for both spontaneous and radiation-induced MN yields, while the manifestation of additional clinical features, including infection susceptibility, immune dysregulation, or malignancies did not associate with increased MN levels. Our extensive analysis of RS in the IEI population underscores the clinical importance of RS assessment in AT patients and supports RS testing in all IEI patients suspected of having a DNA repair disorder associated with RS.

Is micronucleus assay a suitable method for biomonitoring children exposed to X-ray? A systematic review with meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the micronucleus test using oral epithelial cells is a suitable biomarker for biomonitoring children exposed to X-ray.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A search was performed through the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, all studies published up to February 2022 that examined the relationship between exposure of children to radiographic examinations and micronucleus.

RESULTS

A total of 17 full-text manuscripts were screened for eligibility. Only two studies found a difference in micronucleus labeling. On the other hand, all studies showed that X-ray was able to induce cellular death in oral mucosa cells. Following the parameters of the Effective Practices in Public Health Project (EPHPP), five manuscripts reached moderate and strong scores, and four studies were categorized as weak at final rating. In the meta-analysis, statistically significant difference was detected in micronucleated cells in children before and after radiographic examinations (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.07-1.84, p = .04), with τ2=1.09; χ2=53.37, and p < .001.

CONCLUSION

Radiographic examinations in children can cause genotoxic and cytotoxic damage in the oral epithelium with a large effect size.

Is micronucleus assay in oral exfoliated cells a suitable tool for biomonitoring children exposed to environmental pollutants? A systematic review

The aim of this review was to evaluate if micronucleus assay in oral exfoliated cells is a suitable tool for biomonitoring children exposed to environmental pollutants. Through the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, all published studies until April 2021 that examined the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and micronucleus frequency in oral cells were searched. All relevant articles using a combination of the following keywords-"children," "micronucleus," "oral cells," and "environmental pollution"-were considered. A total of 20 papers met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. The results regarding the cytogenetic damage induced by environmental pollutants are conflicting. Some authors have demonstrated that environmental pollution induces mutagenesis in oral cells while others did not. Following the parameters of the Project for Effective Public Health Practices (EPHPP) and after extensive reading of all the articles included, a total of 12 articles had moderate and strong scores and 8 had a classification considered weak. Taken together, this review was able to demonstrate the association between micronucleus frequency and exposure to environmental pollutants in oral exfoliated cells of children.