Particle irradiation induces FGF2 expression in normal human lens cells

Phenotypic and transcriptional changes in lens epithelial cells following acute and fractionated ionizing radiation exposure

PURPOSE

Exposure to ionizing radiation is one of the known risk factors for the development of lens opacities. It is believed that radiation interactions with lens epithelial cells (LEC) are the underlying cause of cataract development, however, the exact mechanisms have yet to be identified. The aim of this study was to investigate how different radiation dose and fractionation impact normal LEC function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A human derived LEC cell line (HLE-B3) was exposed to a single acute x-ray dose (0.25 Gy) and 6 fractionated doses (total dose of 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 Gy divided over 5 equal fractions). LEC were examined for proliferation using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and migration using a Boyden chamber assay at various time points (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 d) post-irradiation. Transcriptomic analysis through RNA sequencing was also performed to identify differentially expressed genes and regulatory networks in cells following 4 different acute exposures and 1 fractionated exposure.

RESULTS

Exposure to an acute dose of 0.25 Gy significantly increased proliferation and migration rates, peaking at 7 d post irradiation (20% and 240% greater than controls, respectively), before returning to baseline levels by day 14. Fractionated exposures had minimal effects up to a dose of 0.5 Gy, but significantly reduced proliferation and migration after 1 and 2 Gy by up to 50%. The largest transcriptional response occurred 12 h after an acute 0.25 Gy dose, with 362 genes up-regulated and 288 genes down-regulated. A unique panel of differentially expressed genes was observed between moderate versus high dose exposures, suggesting a dose-dependent transcriptional response in LEC that is more pronounced at lower doses. Gene ontology and upstream regulator analysis identified multiple biological processes and molecular functions implicated in the radiation response, in particular differentiation, motility, receptor/ligand binding, cell signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this research provides novel insights into the dose and fractionation effects on functional changes and transcriptional regulatory networks in LEC, furthering our understanding of the mechanisms behind radiation induced cataracts.

Individual response of the ocular lens to ionizing radiation

PURPOSE

Cataract (opacification of the ocular lens) is a typical tissue reaction (deterministic effect) following ionizing radiation exposure, for which prevention dose limits have been recommended in the radiation protection system. Manifestations of radiation cataracts can vary among individuals, but such potential individual responses remain uncharacterized. Here we review relevant literature and discuss implications for radiation protection. This review assesses evidence for significant modification of radiation-induced cataractogenesis by age at exposure, sex and genetic factors based on current scientific literature.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to obvious physical factors (e.g. dose, dose rate, radiation quality, irradiation volume), potential factors modifying individual responses for radiation cataracts include sex, age and genetics, with comorbidity and coexposures also having important roles. There are indications and preliminary data identifying such potential modifiers of radiation cataract incidence or risk, although no firm conclusions can yet be drawn. Further studies and a consensus on the evidence are needed to gain deeper insights into factors determining individual responses regarding radiation cataracts and the implications for radiation protection.

Radiation-Induced Alterations in Proliferation, Migration, and Adhesion in Lens Epithelial Cells and Implications for Cataract Development

The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues. Although the exact mechanism of radiation-induced cataract development remains unknown, altered proliferation, migration, and adhesion have been proposed as factors. Lens epithelial cells were exposed to X-rays (0.1-2 Gy) and radiation effects were examined after 12 h and 7 day. Proliferation was quantified using an MTT assay, migration was measured using a Boyden chamber and wound-healing assay, and adhesion was assessed on three extracellular matrices. Transcriptional changes were also examined using RT-qPCR for a panel of genes related to these processes. In general, a nonlinear radiation response was observed, with the greatest effects occurring at a dose of 0.25 Gy. At this dose, a reduction in proliferation occurred 12 h post irradiation (82.06 ± 2.66%), followed by an increase at 7 day (116.16 ± 3.64%). Cell migration was increased at 0.25 Gy, with rates 121.66 ± 6.49% and 232.78 ± 22.22% greater than controls at 12 h and 7 day respectively. Cell adhesion was consistently reduced above doses of 0.25 Gy. Transcriptional alterations were identified at these same doses in multiple genes related to proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Overall, this research began to elucidate the functional changes that occur in lens cells following radiation exposure, thereby providing a better mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced cataract development.

Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Response to Ionizing Radiation

Lens epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation are naturally well regulated and controlled, a characteristic essential for lens structure, symmetry and function. The effect of ionizing radiation on lens epithelial cell proliferation has been demonstrated in previous studies at high acute doses, but the effect of dose and dose rate on proliferation has not yet been considered. In this work, mice received single acute doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 Gy of radiation, at dose rates of 0.063 and 0.3 Gy/min. Eye lenses were isolated postirradiation at 30 min up until 14 days and flat-mounted. Then, cell proliferation rates were determined using biomarker Ki67. As expected, radiation increased cell proliferation 2 and 24 h postirradiation transiently (undetectable 14 days postirradiation) and was dose dependent (changes were very significant at 2 Gy; P = 0.008). A dose-rate effect did not reach significance in this study (P = 0.054). However, dose rate and lens epithelial cell region showed significant interactions (P < 0.001). These observations further our mechanistic understanding of how the lens responds to radiation.

Ionizing radiation response of primary normal human lens epithelial cells

Whilst the cataractogenic potential of ionizing radiation has been known for over the past 120 years, little is known about radiation responses of lens cells. Our previous work was the first to evaluate the radiosensitivity of lens cells with the clonogenic assay, documenting that the survival of HLEC1 human lens epithelial cells is comparable to that of WI-38 human lung fibroblasts. Moreover, HLEC1 cells were found to contain subsets where irradiation stimulates proliferation or facilitates formation of abortive colonies with fewer cells than human fibroblasts. This study aims to gain insights into these mechanisms. Irradiation of HLEC1 cells with 10% survival dose caused a growth delay but did not reduce viability. HLEC1 cells at high cumulative population doubling level were more susceptible to radiogenic premature senescence than WI-38 cells. Concerning p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) foci, HLEC1 cells harbored less spontaneous foci but more radiogenic foci than in WI-38 cells, and the focus number returned to spontaneous levels within 48 h postirradiation both in HLEC1 and WI-38. The chemical inhibition of DNA repair kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated, DNA-dependent protein kinase or both delayed and attenuated the appearance and disappearance of radiogenic 53BP1 foci, increased radiogenic premature senescence and enhanced clonogenic inactivation. The DNA microarray analysis suggested both radiogenic stimulation and inhibition of cell proliferation. Treatment with conditioned medium from irradiated cells did not change growth and the plating efficiency of nonirradiated cells. These results partially explain mechanisms of our previous observations, such that unrepaired or incompletely repaired DNA damage causes a growth delay in a subset of HLEC1 cells without changing viability through induction of premature senescence, thereby leading to clonogenic inactivation, but that growth is stimulated in another subset via as yet unidentified mechanisms, warranting further studies.

Lauriston S. Taylor Lecture on radiation protection and measurements: what makes particle radiation so effective?

The scientific basis for the physical and biological effectiveness of particle radiations has emerged from many decades of meticulous basic research. A diverse array of biologically relevant consequences at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organism level have been reported, but what are the key processes and mechanisms that make particle radiation so effective, and what competing processes define dose dependences? Recent studies have shown that individual genotypes control radiation-regulated genes and pathways in response to radiations of varying ionization density. The fact that densely ionizing radiations can affect different gene families than sparsely ionizing radiations, and that the effects are dose- and time-dependent, has opened up new areas of future research. The complex microenvironment of the stroma and the significant contributions of the immune response have added to our understanding of tissue-specific differences across the linear energy transfer (LET) spectrum. The importance of targeted versus nontargeted effects remains a thorny but elusive and important contributor to chronic low dose radiation effects of variable LET that still needs further research. The induction of cancer is also LET-dependent, suggesting different mechanisms of action across the gradient of ionization density. The focus of this 35th Lauriston S. Taylor Lecture is to chronicle the step-by-step acquisition of experimental clues that have refined our understanding of what makes particle radiation so effective, with emphasis on the example of radiation effects on the crystalline lens of the human eye.

Cancer stem cells in osteosarcoma: recent progress and perspective

BACKGROUND

To review the current progress in osteosarcoma stem cells, including isolation and identification, special cell surface markers, relationship between drug-resistance and metastasis, and the involving signal pathways.

METHODS

A review of the literature encompassing osteosarcoma stem cells was performed.

RESULTS

Although the cancer stem cells hypothesis was first proposed about 50 years ago, it is only in the last 10 years that advances in stem cell biology have provided increasing experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis. It has been postulated that within a tumor, a minor subpopulation of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSC), drive the self-renewal and differentiation that account for the initiation, proliferation, metastasis, therapeutic resistance and recurrence of cancer. The CSC hypothesis opens up a novel conceptual approach for curing tumors that selectively kills CSCs, making it possible to eradicate cancer. Currently, osteosarcoma stem cells have been isolated and identified using various methods. Given the specific stem cell features, the study of CSCs has important implications in osteosarcoma prevention, detection and treatment, especially in curing early metastasis and preventing drug resistance. Focusing on their stem-like character, CSCs can be appropriately targeted by identifying links between the cells and their microenvironment.

CONCLUSION

All of this research is in its infancy - many problems still exist. Further studies are needed to search for specific targeted therapies for osteosarcoma, in-depth study of mechanism of drug resistance, identifying the role that CSCs play in tumor metastasis, and demonstrate the imbalance of specific pathways in osteosarcoma stem cells.

Effects of estrogen and gender on cataractogenesis induced by high-LET radiation

Planning for long-duration manned lunar and interplanetary missions requires an understanding of radiation-induced cataractogenesis. Previously, it was demonstrated that low-linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation with 10 Gy of (60)Co gamma rays resulted in an increased incidence of cataracts in male rats compared to female rats. This gender difference was not due to differences in estrogen, since male rats treated with the major secreted estrogen 17-beta-estradiol (E2) showed an identical increase compared to untreated males. We now compare the incidence and rate of progression of cataracts induced by high-LET radiation in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats received a single dose of 1 Gy of 600 MeV (56)Fe ions. Lens opacification was measured at 2-4-week intervals with a slit lamp. The incidence and rate of progression of radiation-induced cataracts was significantly increased in the animals in which estrogen was available from endogenous or exogenous sources. Male rats with E2 capsules implanted had significantly higher rates of progression compared to male rats with empty capsules implanted (P = 0.025) but not compared to the intact female rats. These results contrast with data obtained after low-LET irradiation and suggest the possibility that the different types of damage caused by high- and low-LET radiation may be influenced differentially by steroid sex hormones.

Endothelial cell proliferation is enhanced by low dose non-thermal plasma through fibroblast growth factor-2 release

Non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge plasma is being developed for a wide range of medical applications, including wound healing, blood coagulation, and malignant cell apoptosis. However, the effect of non-thermal plasma on the vasculature is unclear. Blood vessels are affected during plasma treatment of many tissues and may be an important potential target for clinical plasma therapy. Porcine aortic endothelial cells were treated in vitro with a custom non-thermal plasma device. Low dose plasma (up to 30 s or 4 J cm(-2)) was relatively non-toxic to endothelial cells while treatment at longer exposures (60 s and higher or 8 J cm(-2)) led to cell death. Endothelial cells treated with plasma for 30 s demonstrated twice as much proliferation as untreated cells five days after plasma treatment. Endothelial cell release of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) peaked 3 h after plasma treatment. The plasma proliferative effect was abrogated by an FGF2 neutralizing antibody, and FGF2 release was blocked by reactive oxygen species scavengers. These data suggest that low dose non-thermal plasma enhances endothelial cell proliferation due to reactive oxygen species mediated FGF2 release. Plasma may be a novel therapy for dose-dependent promotion or inhibition of endothelial cell mediated angiogenesis.

Ion beam radiobiology and cancer: time to update ourselves

High-energy protons and carbon ions exhibit an inverse dose profile allowing for increased energy deposition with penetration depth. Additionally, heavier ions like carbon beams have the advantage of a markedly increased biological effectiveness characterized by enhanced ionization density in the individual tracks of the heavy particles, where DNA damage becomes clustered and therefore more difficult to repair, but is restricted to the end of their range. These superior biophysical and biological profiles of particle beams over conventional radiotherapy permit more precise dose localization and make them highly attractive for treating anatomically complex and radioresistant malignant tumors but without increasing the severe side effects in the normal tissue. More than half a century since Wilson proposed their use in cancer therapy, the effects of particle beams have been extensively investigated and the biological complexity of particle beam irradiation begins to unfold itself. The goal of this review is to provide an as comprehensive and up-to-date summary as possible of the different radiobiological aspects of particle beams for effective application in cancer treatment.

Global gene expression analyses of bystander and alpha particle irradiated normal human lung fibroblasts: synchronous and differential responses

Background

The existence of a radiation bystander effect, in which non-irradiated cells respond to signals from irradiated cells, is now well established. It raises concerns for the interpretation of risks arising from exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. However, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the bystander response have not been well elucidated. To provide insight into the signaling pathways responding in bystanders, we have measured global gene expression four hours after bystander and direct alpha particle exposure of primary human lung fibroblasts.

Results

Although common p53-regulated radiation response genes like CDKN1A were expressed at elevated levels in the directly exposed cultures, they showed little or no change in the bystanders. In contrast, genes regulated by NFκB, such as PTGS2 (cyclooxygenase-2), IL8 and BCL2A1, responded nearly identically in bystander and irradiated cells. This trend was substantiated by gene ontology and pathway analyses of the microarray data, which suggest that bystander cells mount a full NFκB response, but a muted or partial p53 response. In time-course analyses, quantitative real-time PCR measurements of CDKN1A showed the expected 4-hour peak of expression in irradiated but not bystander cells. In contrast, PTGS2, IL8 and BCL2A1 responded with two waves of expression in both bystander and directly irradiated cells, one peaking at half an hour and the other between four and six hours after irradiation.

Conclusion

Two major transcriptional hubs that regulate the direct response to ionizing radiation are also implicated in regulation of the bystander response, but to dramatically different degrees. While activation of the p53 response pathway is minimal in bystander cells, the NFκB response is virtually identical in irradiated and bystander cells. This alteration in the balance of signaling is likely to lead to different outcomes in irradiated cells and their bystanders, perhaps leading to greater survival of bystanders and increased risk from any long-term damage they have sustained.

Particle radiation alters expression of matrix metalloproteases resulting in ECM remodeling in human lens cells

Relatively low doses of space radiation have been correlated with an increased incidence and earlier appearance of cataracts in space travelers. The lens is a radiosensitive organ of the body with a very obvious late end point of radiation damage--cataract. However, many molecular changes occur in the lens soon after radiation exposure and long before the appearance of an opacification. The goal of our research is to elucidate early mechanisms associated with particle radiation-induced cataractogenesis, with the ultimate goal of developing countermeasures. Normal, cultured non-immortalized human lens cells were grown on matrix-coated plastic tissue culture vessels and irradiated with particle beams at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) or at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Lab. Samples were harvested at different times after radiation exposure. Using a focused genetic approach, total RNA and protein extracts from control and irradiated samples were processed and probed for the expression of genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have previously been studied in adult postmortem human lenses, in post-cataract intraocular lens (IOL) surgery capsular bags and with immortalized human lens cell cultures. Significant differences exist in the expression pattern with these various model systems. We have evidence for the cell stage-specific expression of MMP family of genes during lens fiber differentiation, and for radiation-induced alterations in the misregulation of MMP expression. Our data indicate that radiation exposure may lead to differences in the expression of radiation stress responses, which may impact selective ECM remodeling and cell differentiation.

Effects of iron ions, protons and X rays on human lens cell differentiation

We have investigated molecular changes in cultured differentiating human lens epithelial cells exposed to high-energy accelerated iron-ion beams as well as to protons and X rays. In this paper, we present results on the effects of radiation on gene families that include or are related to DNA damage, cell cycle regulators, cell adhesion molecules, and cell cytoskeletal function. A limited microarray survey with a panel of cell cycle-regulated genes illustrates that irradiation with protons altered the gene expression pattern of human lens epithelial cells. A focus of our work is CDKN1A (p21(CIP1/WAF1)), a protein that we demonstrate here has a role in several pathways functionally related to LET-responsive radiation damage. We quantitatively assessed RNA and protein expression in a time course before and after single 4-Gy radiation doses and demonstrated that transcription and translation of CDKN1A are both temporally regulated after exposure. Furthermore, we show qualitative differences in the distribution of CDKN1A immunofluorescence signals after exposure to X rays, protons or iron ions, suggesting that LET effects likely play a role in the misregulation of gene function in these cells. A model of molecular and cellular events is proposed to account for precataractous changes in the human lens after exposure to low- or high-LET radiations.

Late effects from hadron therapy

Successful cancer patient survival and local tumor control from hadron radiotherapy warrant a discussion of potential secondary late effects from the radiation. The study of late-appearing clinical effects from particle beams of protons, carbon, or heavier ions is a relatively new field with few data. However, new clinical information is available from pioneer hadron radiotherapy programs in the USA, Japan, Germany and Switzerland. This paper will review available data on late tissue effects from particle radiation exposures, and discuss its importance to the future of hadron therapy. Potential late radiation effects are associated with irradiated normal tissue volumes at risk that in many cases can be reduced with hadron therapy. However, normal tissues present within hadron treatment volumes can demonstrate enhanced responses compared to conventional modes of therapy. Late endpoints of concern include induction of secondary cancers, cataract, fibrosis, neurodegeneration, vascular damage, and immunological, endocrine and hereditary effects. Low-dose tissue effects at tumor margins need further study, and there is need for more acute molecular studies underlying late effects of hadron therapy.