The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on radiation-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Abstract

Purpose: Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease is a potentially severe side-effect of thoracic radiotherapy treatment. Clinically, this delayed side-effect presents as a form of accelerated atherosclerosis several years after irradiation. As general endothelial dysfunction is known to be an initiating event in radiation-induced vascular damage, we examined the effects of radiation on endothelial cells in radiation-induced atherosclerosis.

Materials and methods: The effects of radiation on human aortic endothelial cells (HAoEC) were assessed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Radiation-induced phenotypic changes of endothelial cells (ECs) were examined using atherosclerotic tissues of irradiated apoprotein E null (ApoE^?/?) mice.

Results: Radiation induced the HAoEC to undergo phenotypic conversion to form fibroblast-like cells, called the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which leads to the upregulation of mesenchymal cell markers such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast specific protein-1 (FSP-1), and vimentin, and downregulation of endothelial cell-specific markers such as CD31 and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. Furthermore, compared with low-density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) significantly augmented radiation-induced EndMT in HAoEC. These fibrotic phenotypes of ECs were found in atherosclerotic tissues of irradiated ApoE^?/? mice with increased levels of ox-LDL.

Conclusions: Taken together, these observations suggest that ox-LDL accelerates radiation-induced EndMT and subsequently contributes to radiation-induced atherosclerosis, providing a novel target for the prevention of radiation-induced atherosclerosis.     

Combined challenge of mice with Citrobacter rodentium and ionizing radiation promotes bacterial translocation

Purpose: Both enteric infection and exposure to ionizing radiation are associated with increased intestinal permeability. However, the combined effect of irradiation and enteric infection has not been described. We combined infection of mice with the enteric pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium, with exposure to ionizing radiation and assessed the impact on colonic epithelial ion transport, permeability and bacterial translocation.

Materials and methods: Mice were infected with C. rodentium and then received whole-body exposure to 5 Gray γ-radiation 7 days later. Three days post-irradiation, mice were euthanized and colons removed. Control groups included sham-infected mice that were irradiated and mice that were infected, but not irradiated.

Results: Macroscopic damage score and colonic wall thickness were increased by C. rodentium infection, but these parameters were not exacerbated by irradiation. Infection caused an increase in myeloperoxidase activity that was reduced by irradiation. Irradiation reduced the secretory response to electrical field stimulation, forskolin and carbachol; these changes were not altered by infection with C. rodentium. None of the treatments caused an increase in permeability to ⁵¹Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). However, combined infection and irradiation synergistically increased bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood.

Conclusions: Although the combination of irradiation and infection did not exacerbate the individual effects of these challenges on ion secretion and mucosal permeability to ⁵¹Cr-EDTA, it dramatically increased susceptibility to bacterial translocation and bacteremia. These results have important implications for patients who develop an enteric infection during the course of abdominopelvic radiotherapy.     

Variation of radiation-sensitivity of neural stem and progenitor cell populations within the developing mouse brain

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the DNA damage response (DDR) of fetal neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPC), since exposure to ionizing radiation can severely impair the brain development.

Material and methods: We compared apoptosis induction in the dorsal telencephalon and the lateral ganglionic eminences (LGE) of mouse embryos after an in utero irradiation. We used two thymidine analogs, together with the physical position of nuclei within brain structures, to determine the fate of irradiated NSPC.

Results: NSPC did not activate an apparent protein 21(p21)- dependent G1/S checkpoint within the LGE as their counterparts within the dorsal telencephalon. However, the levels of radiation-induced apoptosis differed between the two telencephalic regions, due to the high radiation sensitivity of intermediate progenitors of the LGE. Besides radial glia cells, that function as neural stem cells, were more resistant and were reoriented toward self-renewing within hours following irradiation.

Conclusions: The lack of the p21-dependent-cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition appears to be a general feature of NSPC in the developing brain. However, we found variation of radiation-response in function of the types of NSPC. Factors involved in DDR and those involved in the regulation of neurogenesis are intricately linked in determining the cell fate after irradiations.     

Alpha-tocopherol succinate protects mice from gamma-radiation by induction of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor

Purpose:?The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the role of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced in response to α-tocopherol succinate (TS) administration in protecting mice from total body irradiation (TBI).

Material and methods:?The dose, route, and schedule of TS administration for optimal G-CSF induction were determined by giving TS through subcutaneous (sc) and oral routes to male CD2F1 mice. The level of cytokine in serum was determined by multiplex Luminex. The role of G-CSF on survival after TBI was determined by first treating mice with a protective dose (400?mg/kg) of TS 24?h before exposure to a lethal dose (9.2?Gy, 0.6?Gy/min) of cobalt-60 γ-irradiation. The treated mice were then given neutralising antibody to G-CSF 16?h before TBI to abrogate the radioprotective efficacy of TS. The efficacy of whole blood samples obtained from TS-treated mice was evaluated to protect naïve lethally irradiated mice. The hematopoietic stem cells in blood from TS-treated mice were analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Results:?Maximal levels of G-CSF were observed in peripheral blood 24?h after sc administration of TS. When TS-treated mice were given neutralising antibody to G-CSF, TS failed to protect against TBI. After being challenged with an LD90/30 (lethal dose causing 90% mortality over 30 days) dose of γ-radiation, mice infused with whole blood from TS- and AMD3100 (1,1′-{1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)}bis-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane octahydrochloride)-treated mice exhibited significantly higher survival compared with those infused with whole blood from vehicle-injected mice. FACS data revealed that hematopoietic stem cells were mobilised into the peripheral blood.

Conclusions:?The results indicate that G-CSF-induced by the administration of TS, mobilises hematopoietic stem cells and is responsible for the protection from ionising radiation.     

Radiation induces an antitumour immune response to mouse melanoma

Purpose:?Irradiation of cancer cells can cause immunogenic death. We used mouse models to determine whether irradiation of melanoma can enhance the host antitumour immune response and function as an effective vaccination strategy, and investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in this radiation-induced response.

Materials and methods:?For in vivo studies, C57BL6/J mice and the B16F0 melanoma cell line were used in a lung metastasis model, intratumoural host immune activation assays, and tumour growth delay studies. In vitro studies included a dendritic cell (DC) phagocytosis assay, detection of cell surface exposure of the protein calreticulin (CRT), and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of CRT cellular levels.

Results:?Irradiation of cutaneous melanomas prior to their resection resulted in more than 20-fold reduction in lung metastases after systemic challenge with untreated melanoma cells. A syngeneic vaccine derived from irradiated melanoma cells also induced adaptive immune response markers in irradiated melanoma implants. Our data indicate a trend for radiation-induced increase in melanoma cell surface exposure of CRT, which is involved in the enhanced phagocytic activity of DC against irradiated melanoma cells (VIACUC).

Conclusion:?The present study suggests that neoadjuvant irradiation of cutaneous melanoma tumours prior to surgical resection can stimulate an endogenous anti-melanoma host immune response.     

Mechanisms underlying the radioprotective effect of histamine on small intestine

Purpose: To examine the protective effects of histamine on intestinal damage produced by gamma-radiation.

Materials and methods: 56 mice were divided into 4 groups. Histamine and Histamine-10 Gy groups received a daily subcutaneous histamine injection (0.1 mg/kg) starting 20 hours before irradiation and continued until the end of the experimental period; the untreated group received saline. Histamine-10 Gy and untreated-10 Gy groups were irradiated with a single dose on whole-body using Cesium-137 source (7 Gy/min) and were sacrificed 3 days after irradiation. Small intestine was removed, fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The number of intestinal crypts per circumference, and other histological characteristics of intestinal cells were evaluated. We further determined by immunohistochemistry the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2 (pro- and anti-apoptotic protein, respectively), antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase), histamine content and apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cells in the S phase of the cell cycle were identified by immunohistochemical detection of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation.

Results: Histamine treatment reduced mucosal atrophy, edema and preserved villi, crypts and nuclear and cytoplasmic characteristics of small intestine after radiation exposure. Additionally, histamine treatment increased PCNA expression and the BrdU-positive cell number, histamine content, decreased the number of apoptotic cells and significantly increased Catalase and copper-zinc-containing SOD of irradiated mice.

Conclusions: Histamine prevents radiation-induced toxicity by increasing proliferation of damaged intestinal mucosa and suppressing apoptosis that was associated with an increase in SOD and Catalase levels. This effect might be of clinical value in patients undergoing radiotherapy.     

Ionizing radiation does not impair the mechanisms controlling genetic stability during T cell receptor gene rearrangement in mice

Purpose: To determine whether low dose/low dose rate radiation-induced genetic instability may result from radiation-induced inactivation of mechanisms induced by the ATM-dependent DNA damage response checkpoint. To this end, we analysed the faithfulness of T cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangement by V(D)J recombination in DNA from mice exposed to a single dose of X-ray or chronically exposed to low dose rate γ radiation.

Materials and methods: Genomic DNA obtained from the blood or the thymus of wild type or Ogg1-deficient mice exposed to low (0.1) or intermediate/high (0.2–1?Gy) doses of radiation either by acute X-rays exposure or protracted exposure to low dose-rate γ-radiation was used to analyse by PCR the presence of illegitimate TR gene rearrangements.

Results: Radiation exposure does not increase the onset of TR gene trans-rearrangements in irradiated mice. In mice where it happens, trans-rearrangements remain sporadic events in developing T lymphocytes.

Conclusion: We concluded that low dose/low dose rate ionizing radiation (IR) exposure does not lead to widespread inactivation of ATM-dependent mechanisms, and therefore that the mechanisms enforcing genetic stability are not impaired by IR in developing lymphocytes and lymphocyte progenitors, including BM-derived hematopoietic stem cells, in low dose/low dose rate exposed mice.     

Histamine prevents functional and morphological alterations of submandibular glands induced by ionising radiation

Purpose:?Xerostomia is a common, disturbing side-effect among patients treated with radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether histamine could prevent salivary gland dysfunction and histological alterations exerted by ionising radiation.

Materials and methods:?Forty-eight rats were divided into four groups. Histamine and histamine-5 Gy groups received a daily subcutaneous histamine injection (0.1 mg/kg) starting 24?h before irradiation. Histamine-5 Gy and untreated-5 Gy groups were irradiated with a single dose of whole-body Cesium-137 irradiation. Control and untreated-5 Gy groups were given daily saline injections. Three days post irradiation metacholine-induced salivary secretion was measured or animals were sacrificed and submandibular gland (SMG) removed, stained and histological characteristics were evaluated. Proliferation and apoptosis markers were studied by immunohistochemistry.

Results:?Radiation decreased salivary secretion by 40% in comparison to untreated rats, which was associated with loss of SMG mass, alteration of epithelial architecture, partial loss of secretor granular material, diminished proliferation and a remarkable apoptotic response. In contrast, histamine completely reversed the reduced salivation induced by radiation, conserved glandular mass with normal appearance and preserved the structural organisation of secretor granules. Radiation-induced toxicity is prevented by histamine essentially by suppressing apoptosis of ductal and acinar cells, reducing the number of apoptotic cells per field (19.0?±?3.8 vs. 106.0?±?12.0 in untreated animals, P?<?0.001), and also by preventing the radiation-induced decrease in cell proliferation.

Conclusions:?Histamine prevents morphological and functional radiation-induced damage on SMG, representing a potential radioprotector for treatment of patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies.     

Whole body proton irradiation causes acute damage to bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells in mice

Purpose: Exposure to proton irradiation during missions in deep space can lead to bone marrow injury. The acute effects of proton irradiation on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells remain undefined and thus were investigated.

Materials and methods: We exposed male C57BL/6 mice to 0.5 and 1.0?Gy proton total body irradiation (proton-TBI, 150?MeV) and examined changes in peripheral blood cells and bone marrow (BM) progenitors and LSK cells 2 weeks after exposure.

Results: 1.0?Gy proton-TBI significantly reduced the numbers of peripheral blood cells compared to 0.5?Gy proton-TBI and unirradiated animals, while the numbers of peripheral blood cell counts were comparable between 0.5?Gy proton-TBI and unirradiated mice. The frequencies and numbers of LSK cells and CMPs in BM of 0.5 and 1.0?Gy irradiated mice were decreased in comparison to those of normal controls. LSK cells and CMPs and their progeny exhibited a radiation-induced impairment in clonogenic function. Exposure to 1.0?Gy increased cellular apoptosis but not the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CMPs two weeks after irradiation. LSK cells from irradiated mice exhibited an increase in ROS production and apoptosis.

Conclusion: Exposure to proton-TBI can induce acute damage to BM progenitors and LSK cells.     

Neurocytotoxic effects of iron-ions on the developing brain measured in vivo using medaka (Oryzias latipes), a vertebrate model

Abstract

Purpose: Exposure to heavy-ion radiation is considered a critical health risk on long-term space missions. The developing central nervous system (CNS) is a highly radiosensitive tissue; however, the biological effects of heavy-ion radiation, which are greater than those of low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, are not well studied, especially in vivo in intact organisms. Here, we examined the effects of iron-ions on the developing CNS using vertebrate organism, fish embryos of medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Materials and methods: Medaka embryos at developmental stage 28 were irradiated with iron-ions at various doses of 0–1.5 Gy. At 24 h after irradiation, radiation-induced apoptosis was examined using an acridine orange (AO) assay and histologically. To estimate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE), we quantified only characteristic AO-stained rosette-shaped apoptosis in the developing optic tectum (OT). At the time of hatching, morphological abnormalities in the irradiated brain were examined histologically.

Results: The dose–response curve utilizing an apoptotic index for the iron-ion irradiated embryos was much steeper than that for X-ray irradiated embryos, with RBE values of 3.7–4.2. Histological examinations of irradiated medaka brain at 24 h after irradiation showed AO-positive rosette-shaped clusters as aggregates of condensed nuclei, exhibiting a circular hole, mainly in the marginal area of the OT and in the retina. However, all of the irradiated embryos hatched normally without apparent histological abnormalities in their brains.

Conclusion: Our present study indicates that the medaka embryo is a useful model for evaluating neurocytotoxic effects on the developing CNS induced by exposure to heavy iron-ions relevant to the aerospace radiation environment.     

富氢水减轻造血干祖细胞的辐射损伤

目的 探讨富氢水对辐射诱导的造血干祖细胞（HSPCs）损伤的保护作用。方法 32只C57BL/6小鼠根据体重分层随机区组法分为健康对照组、富氢水组、照射组、照射+富氢水组,共4组,每组8只。富氢水组和照射+富氢水组小鼠于照射前5 min至照后7 d,每天灌胃给予0.5 ml富氢水,其余小鼠每天灌胃给予0.5 ml蒸馏水,照射组和照射+富氢水组小鼠接受2 Gy的¹³⁷Cs γ射线全身照射。照后15 d取小鼠骨髓,检测骨髓中HSPCs比例、骨髓细胞的克隆形成和移植重建能力、骨髓中LSK细胞的活性氧（ROS）水平和细胞凋亡情况。结果 与照射组相比,照射+富氢水组小鼠骨髓中造血祖细胞和LSK细胞比例升高（t=-4.935、-7.898,P<0.05）,骨髓细胞形成克隆的数目增加（t=5.488,P<0.05）,竞争性骨髓移植后受体小鼠的供体嵌合率升高（t=-12.769,P<0.05）,骨髓中LSK细胞的ROS水平和细胞凋亡比例降低（t=4.380、3.954,P<0.05）。结论 富氢水对2 Gy电离辐射诱导的HSPCs损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

Arginine glutamate improves healing of radiation-induced skin ulcers in guinea pigs

Abstract

Purpose: The increase in the incidence of the radiation-induced skin injury cases and the absence of standard treatments escalate the interest in finding new and effective drugs for these lesions. We studied the effect of a 40% solution of arginine glutamate on the healing of radiation-induced skin ulcers in guinea pigs.

Materials and methods: Radiation skin injury was produced on the thigh of guinea pigs by 60 Gy local X-ray irradiation. Treatment was started 6 weeks after the irradiation when ulcers had been formed. Arginine glutamate was administered by subcutaneous injections around the wound edge. Methyluracil was chosen as the comparison drug. The animals were sacrificed on day 21 after the start of treatment and the irradiated skin tissues were subjected to histological evaluation, cytokines analysis, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes analysis.

Results: We have shown that arginine glutamate significantly (p < 0.05) decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the wound, restored the balance between lipid peroxidation formation and antioxidant enzymes activity and promoted cell proliferation as well as collagen synthesis.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that arginine glutamate successfully improves the healing of radiation-induced skin ulcers. In all probability, the curative effect is associated with the interaction of arginine with nitric oxide synthase II and arginase I, but further investigations are needed to validate this.     

Rapid rise in FDG uptake in an irradiated human tumour xenograft

In order to investigate early changes in the glucose metabolism of irradiated tumours, tumour uptake of 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (¹⁸FDG) was studied in human tumour xenografts. Three human tumour lines [ependymoblastoma (NNE), small cell lung cancer (GLS), and glioblastoma (KYG)] showing different radiosensitivities and incidences of radiation-induced apoptosis were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice, and were irradiated at a single dose of 10 Gy. Then 0.5 mCi of¹⁸FDG was intravenously administered 1 h before sacrifice. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 6 h following irradiation, and¹⁸FDG accumulation in the tumours was examined. Before irradiation, GLS and KYG tumours showed significantly higher rates of¹⁸FDG accumulation compared with NNE tumours (P <0.004 andP <0.001, respectively). NNE (the most radiosensitive tumour with the highest incidence of radiation-induced apoptosis), however, displayed a 2.3-fold higher rate of¹⁸FDG accumulation at 2 h following irradiation compared with a non-irradiated group (P <0.01), and thereafter showed a plateau up to 6 h. The accumulation did not increase significantly in the other tumours with lower radiosensitivity and much less radiation-induced apoptosis. The rapidity of the increase in¹⁸FDG accumulation in the most radiosensitive tumour line, occurring as early as 2 h following irradiation, suggests that the increase was independent of recovery phenomena following radiation damage.     

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in mouse bone marrow tissues after ionizing radiation

Purpose: To identify differentially expressed genes in mouse bone marrow involved in radiation-induced injury.

Materials and methods: Microarray analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed genes and other techniques, e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western-blotting and antisense were also used to validate the results.

Results: DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that the mRNA of 34 genes increased and 69 genes decreased in mouse bone marrow cells (BMC) from C57BL mice 6h after a whole body dose of 6.5 Gy. These differentially expressed genes were involved in a number of processes including DNA replication/repair, proliferation/apoptosis, cell cycle control and RNA processing. In these experiments, a decline of the mammalian homolog Sir2a (an acronym for the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog [SIRT1]) mRNA accompanied by an increase of P53 protein acetylation was observed in irradiated BMC. To determine whether the reduced SIRT1 is related to the higher acetylation status of P53 after irradiation, we designed and synthesized antisense oligonucleotides (AS) targeting human SIRT1 mRNA. Notably, AS transfection increased tumor protein 53 (P53) protein acetylation and bax-luciferase activity in human bone marrow stromal cell line (HS-5) after radiation. Furthermore, the AS transfer stimulated cell apoptosis in post-irradiation HS-5 cells.

Conclusion: Ionizing radiation (IR) affects the expression of a series of genes including genes involved in G1/S transition and the P53 pathway. Among those, reduction of SIRT1 was seen to be involved in transactivation of P53.     

Icariin protects against radiation-induced mortality and damage in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of icariin both in vivo and in vitro, an active flavonoid glucoside derived from medicinal herb Epimedium, and its possible mechanisms against radiation-induced injury.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to lethal dose (7?Gy) or sub-lethal dose (4?Gy) of whole body radiation by X-ray at a dose rate of ～0.55?Gy/min, and icariin was given three times at 24?h and 30?min before and 24?h after the irradiation. After irradiation, hematological, biochemical, and histological evaluations were performed. We further determined the effect of icariin on radiation-induced cytotoxicity and changes in apoptosis-related protein expression.

Results: Icariin enhanced the 30-day survival rates (20 and 40?mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner, and protected the radiosensitive organs such as intestine and testis from the radiation damages. Moreover, hematopoietic damage by radiation was significantly decreased in icariin-treated mice as demonstrated by the increases in number of peripheral blood cells, bone marrow cells (1.7-fold), and spleen colony forming units (1.7-fold). In addition, icariin decreased the radiation-induced oxidative stress by modulating endogenous antioxidant levels. Subsequent in vitro studies showed that icariin effectively increased cell viability (1.4-fold) and suppressed the expression of apoptosis-related proteins after irradiation.

Conclusion: These results suggest that icariin has significant protective effects against radiation-induced damages partly through its anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties.     

Role of the bradykinin B2 receptor in a rat model of local heart irradiation

Abstract

Purpose: Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a delayed effect of radiotherapy for cancers of the chest, such as breast, esophageal, and lung. Kinins are small peptides with cardioprotective properties. We previously used a rat model that lacks the precursor kininogen to demonstrate that kinins are involved in RIHD. Here, we examined the role of the kinin B2 receptor (B2R) in early radiation-induced signaling in the heart.

Materials and methods: Male Brown Norway rats received the B2R-selective antagonist HOE-140 (icatibant) via osmotic minipump from 5 days before until 4 weeks after 21 Gy local heart irradiation. At 4 weeks, signaling events were measured in left ventricular homogenates and nuclear extracts using western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Numbers of CD68-positive (monocytes/macrophages), CD2-positive (T-lymphocytes), and mast cells were measured using immunohistochemistry.

Results: Radiation-induced c-Jun phosphorylation and nuclear translocation were enhanced by HOE-140. HOE-140 did not modify endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation or alter numbers of CD2-positive or mast cells, but enhanced CD68-positive cell counts in irradiated hearts.

Conclusions: B2R signaling may regulate monocyte/macrophage infiltration and c-Jun signals in the irradiated heart. Although eNOS is a main target for kinins, the B2R may not regulate eNOS phosphorylation in response to radiation.     

Radioprotection of hematopoietic progenitors by low dose amifostine prophylaxis

Abstract

Purpose: Amifostine is a highly efficacious cytoprotectant when administered in vivo at high doses. However, at elevated doses, drug toxicity manifests for general, non-clinical radioprotective purposes. Various strategies have been developed to avoid toxic side-effects: The simplest is reducing the dose. In terms of protecting hematopoietic tissues, where does this effective, non-toxic minimum dose lie?

Material and methods: C3H/HEN mice were administered varying doses of amifostine (25–100 mg/kg) 30 min prior to cobalt-60 irradiation and euthanized between 4–14 days for blood and bone marrow collection and analyses.

Results: Under steady-state, amifostine had little effect on bipotential and multi-potential marrow progenitors but marginally suppressed a more primitive, lineage negative progenitor subpopulation. In irradiated animals, prophylactic drug doses greater than 50 mg/kg resulted in significant regeneration of bipotential progenitors, moderate regeneration of multipotential progenitors, but no significant and consistent regeneration of more primitive progenitors. The low amifostine dose (25 mg/kg) failed to elicit consistent and positive, radioprotective actions on any of the progenitor subtypes.

Conclusions: Radioprotective doses for amifostine appear to lie between 25 and 50 mg/kg. Mature, lineage-restricted progenitors appear to be more responsive to the protective effects of low doses of amifostine than the more primitive, multipotential progenitors.     

Long-term cognitive effects of human stem cell transplantation in the irradiated brain

Abstract

Purpose: Radiotherapy remains a primary treatment modality for the majority of central nervous system tumors, but frequently leads to debilitating cognitive dysfunction. Given the absence of satisfactory solutions to this serious problem, we have used human stem cell therapies to ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Here, past studies have been extended to determine whether engrafted cells provide even longer-term benefits to cognition.

Materials and methods: Athymic nude rats were cranially irradiated (10 Gy) and subjected to intrahippocampal transplantation surgery 2 days later. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human neural stem cells (hNSC) were transplanted, and animals were subjected to cognitive testing on a novel place recognition task 8 months later.

Results: Grafting of hNSC was found to provide long lasting cognitive benefits over an 8-month post-irradiation interval. At this protracted time, hNSC grafting improved behavioral performance on a novel place recognition task compared to irradiated animals not receiving stem cells. Engrafted hESC previously shown to be beneficial following a similar task, 1 and 4 months after irradiation, were not found to provide cognitive benefits at 8 months.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that hNSC transplantation promotes the long-term recovery of the irradiated brain, where intrahippocampal stem cell grafting helps to preserve cognitive function.