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Luitel K, Siteni S, Barron S, Shay JW. Simulated galactic cosmic radiation-induced cancer progression in mice. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 41:43-51. [PMID: 38670651 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Prolonged manned space flight exposure risks to galactic comic radiation, has led to uncertainties in a variety of health risks. Our previous work, utilizing either single ion or multiple ion radiation exposure conducted at the NSRL (NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven, NY) demonstrated that HZE ion components of the GCR result in persistent inflammatory signaling, increased mutations, and higher rates of cancer initiation and progression. With the development of the 33-beam galactic cosmic radiation simulations (GCRsim) at the NSRL, we can more closely test on earth the radiation environment found in space. With a previously used lung cancer susceptible mouse model (K-rasLA-1), we performed acute exposure experiments lasting 1-2 h, and chronic exposure experiments lasting 2-6 weeks with a total dose of 50 cGy and 75 cGy. We obtained histological samples from a subset of mice 100 days post-irradiation, and the remaining mice were monitored for overall survival up to 1-year post-irradiation. When we compared acute exposures (1-2 hrs.) and chronic exposure (2-6 weeks), we found a trend in the increase of lung adenocarcinoma respectively for a total dose of 50 cGy and 75 cGy. Furthermore, when we added neutron exposure to the 75 cGy of GCRsim, we saw a further increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma. We interpret these findings to suggest that the risks of carcinogenesis are heightened with doses anticipated during a round trip to Mars, and this risk is magnified when coupled with extra neutron exposure that are expected on the Martian surface. We also observed that risks are reduced when the NASA official 33-beam GCR simulations are provided at high dose rates compared to low dose rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Luitel
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Summer Barron
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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Noirungsee N, Changkhong S, Phinyo K, Suwannajak C, Tanakul N, Inwongwan S. Genome-scale metabolic modelling of extremophiles and its applications in astrobiological environments. Environ Microbiol Rep 2024; 16:e13231. [PMID: 38192220 PMCID: PMC10866088 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic modelling approaches have become the powerful tools in modern biology. These mathematical models are widely used to predict metabolic phenotypes of the organisms or communities of interest, and to identify metabolic targets in metabolic engineering. Apart from a broad range of industrial applications, the possibility of using metabolic modelling in the contexts of astrobiology are poorly explored. In this mini-review, we consolidated the concepts and related applications of applying metabolic modelling in studying organisms in space-related environments, specifically the extremophilic microbes. We recapitulated the current state of the art in metabolic modelling approaches and their advantages in the astrobiological context. Our review encompassed the applications of metabolic modelling in the theoretical investigation of the origin of life within prebiotic environments, as well as the compilation of existing uses of genome-scale metabolic models of extremophiles. Furthermore, we emphasize the current challenges associated with applying this technique in extreme environments, and conclude this review by discussing the potential implementation of metabolic models to explore theoretically optimal metabolic networks under various space conditions. Through this mini-review, our aim is to highlight the potential of metabolic modelling in advancing the study of astrobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilizations, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
| | - Sakunthip Changkhong
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryUniversity Hospital ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Kittiya Phinyo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
- Research group on Earth—Space Ecology (ESE), Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
- Office of Research AdministrationChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
| | | | - Nahathai Tanakul
- National Astronomical Research Institute of ThailandChiang MaiThailand
| | - Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilizations, Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
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Miranda S, Vermeesen R, Radstake WE, Parisi A, Ivanova A, Baatout S, Tabury K, Baselet B. Lost in Space? Unmasking the T Cell Reaction to Simulated Space Stressors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16943. [PMID: 38069265 PMCID: PMC10707245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The space environment will expose astronauts to stressors like ionizing radiation, altered gravity fields and elevated cortisol levels, which pose a health risk. Understanding how the interplay between these stressors changes T cells' response is important to better characterize space-related immune dysfunction. We have exposed stimulated Jurkat cells to simulated space stressors (1 Gy, carbon ions/1 Gy photons, 1 µM hydrocortisone (HC), Mars, moon, and microgravity) in a single or combined manner. Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-2 was measured in the supernatant of Jurkat cells and at the mRNA level. Results show that alone, HC, Mars gravity and microgravity significantly decrease IL-2 presence in the supernatant. 1 Gy carbon ion irradiation showed a smaller impact on IL-2 levels than photon irradiation. Combining exposure to different simulated space stressors seems to have less immunosuppressive effects. Gene expression was less impacted at the time-point collected. These findings showcase a complex T cell response to different conditions and suggest the importance of elevated cortisol levels in the context of space flight, also highlighting the need to use simulated partial gravity technologies to better understand the immune system's response to the space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Miranda
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Randy Vermeesen
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
| | - Wilhelmina E. Radstake
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alessio Parisi
- Radiation Protection Dosimetry and Calibration Expert Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Anna Ivanova
- Data Science Institute (DSI), I-BioStat University of Hasselt, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.M.)
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Blackwell AA, Tracz JA, Fesshaye AS, Tidmore A, Osterlund Oltmanns JR, Schaeffer EA, Lake RI, Wallace DG, Britten RA. Fine motor deficits exhibited in rat string-pulling behavior following exposure to sleep fragmentation and deep space radiation. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:427-440. [PMID: 36574036 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Deep space flight missions will expose astronauts to multiple stressors, including sleep fragmentation and space radiation. There is debate over whether sleep disruptions are an issue in deep space. While these stressors independently impair sensorimotor function, the combined effects on performance are currently unknown. String-pulling behavior involves highly organized bimanual reach-to-grasp and withdraw movements. This behavior was examined under rested wakeful conditions and immediately following one session of sleep fragmentation in Sham and irradiated rats 3 months after exposure (10 cGy 4Helium or 5-ion simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation). Sleep fragmentation disrupted several aspects of string-pulling behavior, such that rats' ability to grasp the string was reduced, reach endpoint concentration was more variable, and distance traveled by the nose increased in the Y-range compared to rested wakeful performance. Overall, irradiated rats missed the string more than Sham rats 3 months post-exposure. Irradiated rats also exhibited differential impairments at 3 months, with additional deficits unveiled after sleep fragmentation. 4Helium-exposed rats took longer to approach the string after sleep fragmentation. Further, rats exposed to 4Helium traveled shorter withdraw distances 3 months after irradiation, while this only emerged in the other irradiated group after sleep fragmentation. These findings identify sleep fragmentation as a risk for fine motor dysfunction in Sham and irradiated conditions, in addition to radiation exposure. There may be complex temporal alterations in performance that are stressor- and ion-dependent. Thus, it is critical to implement appropriate models of multi-flight stressors and performance assessments in preparation for future deep space flight missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Blackwell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA. .,Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.
| | - Jovanna A Tracz
- School of Medicine, 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
| | - Alyssa Tidmore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
| | | | - Ericka A Schaeffer
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Rami I Lake
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Douglas G Wallace
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.,Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
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