Low Low Linear Energy Transfer Research Articles

Sub-background radiation exposure at the LNGS underground laboratory: dosimetric characterization of the external and underground facilities

Radiobiological studies conducted in Deep Underground Laboratories allow to improve the knowledge of the biological effects induced by ionizing radiation at low doses/dose rates. At the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics we can study the possible differences in behavior between parallel biological systems, one maintained in a Reference-Radiation Environment (RRE, external) and the other maintained in an extremely Low-Radiation Environment (LRE, underground), in the absence of pressure changes, the RRE and LRE laboratories being at the same altitude. For these investigations, it is mandatory to evaluate the dose rate values at RRE and LRE. The aim of our work is to provide a comprehensive dosimetric analysis for external and underground laboratories. Measurements of the different low Linear Energy Transfer (LET) components at RRE and LRE were performed using different detectors. Gamma dose rates were 31 nSv/h at RRE and 27 nSv/h at LRE respectively. The muon dose rate was 47 nSv/h at RRE and negligible at LRE (less than pGy/h). Dosimetric measurements were also carried out to characterize the devices used to modulate the gamma dose rate, namely, a gamma source irradiator (to increase the dose rate by about 90 nSv/h) and shields (of iron at LRE and lead at RRE). Using the iron shield at LRE a dose reduction factor of about 20, compared to the RRE, was obtained for the low LET components; inside the lead shield at RRE the gamma component was negligible compared to the muonic component. Radon activity concentrations were approximately of 20 Bq/m3 at both LRE and RRE. The intrinsic contribution of radioactivity in the experimental set up was of 0.25 nGy/h, as evaluated with a GEANT4-simulation, using as input the measured activity concentrations. GEANT4 simulations were also performed to calculate the neutron dose rate at RRE, yielding a value of 1.4 nGy/h, much larger than that at LRE (which is less than pGy/h). In conclusion, RRE and LRE are currently characterized and equipped to perform radiobiological studies aimed at understanding the involvement of the different low LET components in determining the response of biological systems.

Mechanistic insights from high resolution DNA damage analysis to understand mixed radiation exposure

Cells exposed to densely ionising high and scattered low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation (50 % dose of each) react more strongly than to the same dose of each separately. The relationship between DNA double strand break location inside the nucleus and chromatin structure was evaluated, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells at 30 min post 5 Gy. Additionally, response to high and/or low LET radiation was assessed using single (1 ×1.5 Gy) versus fractionated dose delivery (5 ×0.3 Gy). By TEM analysis, the highest total number of γH2AX nanobeads were found in cells irradiated with alpha radiation just prior to gamma radiation (called mixed beam), followed by alpha, then gamma radiation. γH2AX foci induced by mixed beam radiation tended to be surrounded by open chromatin (lighter TEM regions), yet foci containing the highest number of beads, i.e. larger foci representing complex damage, remained in the heterochromatic areas. The γH2AX large focus area was also greater in mixed beam-treated cells when analysed by immunofluorescence. Fractionated mixed beams given daily induced the strongest reduction in cell viability and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and osteosarcoma U2OS cells compared to the other radiation qualities, as well as versus acute exposure. This may partially be explained by recurring low LET oxidative DNA damage by every fraction together with a delay in recompaction of chromatin after high LET, demonstrated by low levels of heterochromatin marker H3K9me3 at 2 h after the last mixed beam fraction in MDA-MB-231. In conclusion, early differences in response to complex DNA damage may lead to a stronger cell kill induced by fractionated exposure, which suggest a therapeutic potential of combined high and low LET irradiation.

Interaction of curcumin with glioblastoma cells via high and low linear energy transfer radiation therapy inducing radiosensitization effects

Glioblastoma is a deadly cancer tumor in the brain and has a survival rate of about 15 months. Despite the high mortality rate, temozolomide has proven to increase the survival rate of patients when combined with radiotherapy. However, its effects may be limited because some patients develop therapeutic resistance. Curcumin has proven to be a cancer treatment due to its broad anticancer spectrum, high efficiency and low toxic level. Additionally, curcumin significantly enhanced radiation efficacy under high and low Linear Energy Transfer (LET) radiation conditions in vitro. In combination with radiation, curcumin increased the cell population in the sub-G1 phase and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, ultimately increasing GBM cellular apoptosis. The radiosensitizing effects of curcumin are much higher in neutron (high LET)-irradiated cell lines than in γ (low LET)-irradiated cell lines. Curcumin plus neutron combination significantly inhibited cell invasion compared with that of single treatment or curcumin combined γ-ray treatment. Curcumin enhances the radiosensitivity of Glioblastoma (GBM), suggesting it may have clinical utility in combination cancer treatment with neutron high-LET radiation.

Radiation cancer risk at different dose rates: new dose-rate effectiveness factors derived from revised A-bomb radiation dosimetry data and non-tumor doses.

The dose rate of atomic bomb (A-bomb) radiation to the survivors has still remained unclear, although the dose–response data of A-bomb cancers has been taken as a standard in estimating the cancer risk of radiation and the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF). Since the applicability of the currently used DDREF of 2 derived from A-bomb data is limited in a narrow dose-rate range, 0.25-75 Gy/min as estimated from analysis of DS86 dosimetry data in the present study, a non-tumor dose (Dnt) was applied in an attempt to gain a more universal dose-rate effectiveness factor (DREF), where Dnt is an empirical parameter defined as the highest dose at which no statistically significant tumor increase is observed above the control level and its magnitude depends on the dose rate. The new DREF values were expressed as a function of the dose rate at four exposure categories, i.e. partial body low LET, whole body low linear energy transfer (LET), partial body high LET and whole body high LET and provided a value of 14 for environmental level radiation at a dose rate of 10−9 Gy/min for whole body low LET.

Modeling of cellular response after FLASH irradiation: a quantitative analysis based on the radiolytic oxygen depletion hypothesis

Purpose. Recent studies suggest ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation can spare normal tissues from radiotoxicity, while efficiently controlling the tumor, and this is known as the ‘FLASH effect’. This study performed theoretical analyses about the impact of radiolytic oxygen depletion (ROD) on the cellular responses after FLASH irradiation. Methods. Monte Carlo simulation was used to model the ROD process, determine the DNA damage, and calculate the amount of oxygen depleted (L ROD) during FLASH exposure. A mathematical model was applied to analyze oxygen tension (pO2) distribution in human tissues and the recovery of pO2 after FLASH irradiation. DNA damage and cell survival fractions (SFs) after FLASH irradiation were calculated. The impact of initial cellular pO2, FLASH pulse number, pulse interval, and radiation quality of the source particles on ROD and subsequent cellular responses were systematically evaluated. Results. The simulated electron L ROD range was 0.38–0.43 μM Gy−1 when pO2 ranged from 7.5 to 160 mmHg. The calculated DNA damage and SFs show that the radioprotective effect is only evident in cells with a low pO2. Different irradiation setups alter the cellular responses by modifying the pO2. Single pulse delivery or multi-pulse delivery with pulse intervals shorter than 10–50 ms resulted in fewer DNA damages and higher SFs. Source particles with a low linear energy transfer (LET) have a higher capacity to deplete oxygen, and thus, lead to a more conspicuous radioprotective effect. Conclusions. A systematic analysis of the cellular response following FLASH irradiation was performed to provided suggestions for future FLASH applications. The FLASH radioprotective effect due to ROD may only be observed in cells with a low pO2. Single pulse delivery or multi-pulse delivery with short pulse intervals are suggested for FLASH irradiation to avoid oxygen tension recovery during pulse intervals. Source particles with low LET are preferred for their conspicuous radioprotective effects.

Validation and investigation of reactive species yields of Geant4‐DNA chemistry models

Indirect biological damage due to reactive species produced in water radiolysis reactions is responsible for the majority of biological effect for low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. Modeling water radiolysis and the subsequent interactions of reactive species, as well as track structures, is essential to model radiobiology on the microscale. Recently, chemistry models have been developed for Geant4-DNA to be used in combination with the comprehensive existing physics models. In the current work, the first detailed, independent, in silico validation of all species yields with published experimental observations and comparison with other radiobiological simulations is presented. Additionally, the effect of LET of protons and heavier ions on reactive species yield in the model was examined, as well as the completeness of the chemical reactions following the radiolysis within the time after physical interactions simulated in the model. Yields over time of reactive species were simulated for water radiolysis by incident electrons, protons, alpha particles, and ions with various LETs using Geant4 and RITRACKS simulation tools. Water dissociation and recombination was simulated using Geant4 to determine the completeness of chemical reactions at the end of the simulation. Yield validation was performed by comparing yields simulated using Geant4 with experimental observations and other simulations. Validation was performed for all species for low LET radiation and the solvated electron and hydroxyl radical for high LET ions. It was found that the Geant4-DNA chemistry yields were generally in good agreement with experimental observations and other simulations. However, the Geant4-DNA yields for the hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide at the end of the chemistry stage were found to be respectively considerably higher and lower than the experimentally observed yields. Increasing the LET of incident hadrons increased the yield of secondary species and decreased the yield of primary species. The effect of LET on the yield of the hydroxyl radical at 100ns simulated with Geant4 was in good agreement with experimental measurements. Additionally, by the end of the simulation only 40% of dissociated water molecules had been recombined and the rate of recombination was slowing. The yields simulated using Geant4 are within reasonable agreement with experimental observations. Higher LET radiation corresponds with increased yields of secondary species and decreased yields of primary species. These trends combined with the LET having similar effects on the 100ns hydroxyl radical yield for Geant4 and experimental measurements indicate that Geant4 accurately models the effect of LET on radiolysis yields. The limited recombination within the modeled chemistry stage and the slowing rate of recombination at the end of the stage indicate potential long-range indirect biological damage.

Strategies to Enhance Radiosensitivity to Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy.

Heavy ion radiation therapy has been increasingly used due to several advantages over low linear energy transfer (LET) photon therapy, but further improvement of its therapeutic efficacy would be necessary. In this review, we summarize effective radiosensitizers for heavy ion radiation therapy and mechanisms associated with the radiosensitization. High LET heavy ions induce more complex and clustered DNA damage than low LET radiation. Inhibition of homologous recombimation repair or nonhomologous end rejoining and dysfunctional cell cycle checkpoint have been reported to sensitize cancer cells to heavy ions. Radiosenstizing agents, including DNA damage response inhibitors, Hsp90 inhibitors, histone acetylase inhibitors, and nanomaterials have been found to enhance cell killing by heavy ion irradiation through disrupted DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest, or other cellular processes. The use of these radiosensitizers could be a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of heavy ion radiation therapy.

Stochastic Modeling of Radiation-induced Dendritic Damage on in silico Mouse Hippocampal Neurons

Cognitive dysfunction associated with radiotherapy for cancer treatment has been correlated to several factors, one of which is changes to the dendritic morphology of neuronal cells. Alterations in dendritic geometry and branching patterns are often accompanied by deficits that impact learning and memory. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel predictive model of neuronal dendritic damages caused by exposure to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as X-rays, γ-rays and high-energy protons. We established in silico representations of mouse hippocampal dentate granule cell layer (GCL) and CA1 pyramidal neurons, which are frequently examined in radiation-induced cognitive decrements. The in silico representations are used in a stochastic model that describes time dependent dendritic damage induced by exposure to low LET radiation. Changes in morphometric parameters, such as total dendritic length, number of branch points and branch number, including the Sholl analysis for single neurons are described by the model. Our model based predictions for different patterns of morphological changes based on energy deposition in dendritic segments (EDDS) will serve as a useful basis to compare specific patterns of morphological alterations caused by EDDS mechanisms.

TAS-116, a Novel Hsp90 Inhibitor, Selectively Enhances Radiosensitivity of Human Cancer Cells to X-rays and Carbon Ion Radiation.

Hsp90 inhibitors have been investigated as cancer therapeutics in monotherapy and to augment radiotherapy; however, serious adverse effects of early-generation Hsp90 inhibitors limited their development. TAS-116 is a novel Hsp90 inhibitor with lower adverse effects than other Hsp90 inhibitors, and here, we investigated the radiosensitizing effects of TAS-116 in low linear energy transfer (LET) X-ray and high LET carbon ion-irradiated human cancer cells and mouse tumor xenografts. TAS-116 decreased cell survival of both X-ray and carbon ion-irradiated human cancer cell lines (HeLa and H1299 cells), and similar to other Hsp90 inhibitors, it did not affect radiosensitivity of noncancerous human fibroblasts. TAS-116 increased the number of radiation-induced γ-H2AX foci and delayed the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). TAS-116 reduced the expression of proteins that mediate repair of DSBs by homologous recombination (RAD51) and nonhomologous end joining (Ku, DNA-PKcs), and suppressed formation of RAD51 foci and phosphorylation/activation of DNA-PKcs. TAS-116 also decreased expression of the cdc25 cell-cycle progression marker, markedly increasing G2-M arrest. Combined treatment of mouse tumor xenografts with carbon ions and TAS-116 showed promising delay in tumor growth compared with either individual treatment. These results demonstrate that TAS-116 radiosensitizes human cancer cells to both X-rays and carbon ions by inhibiting the two major DSB repair pathways, and these effects were accompanied by marked cell-cycle arrest. The promising results of combination TAS-116 + carbon ion radiotherapy of tumor xenografts justify further exploration of TAS-116 as an adjunct to radiotherapy using low or high LET radiation. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(1); 16-24. ©2016 AACR.

Low LET radiolysis escape yields for reducing radicals and H2 in pressurized high temperature water

Abstract Low Linear Energy Transfer (LET) radiolysis escape yields (G values) are reported for the sum ( G( H)+G(e-)aq ) and for G(H2) in subcritical water up to 350 °C. The scavenger system 1–10 mM acetate/0.001 M hydroxide/0.00048 M N2O was used with simultaneous mass spectroscopic detection of H2 and N2 product. Temperature-dependent measurements were carried out with 2.5 MeV electrons from a van de Graaff accelerator, while room temperature calibration measurements were done with a 60Co gamma source. The concentrations and dose range were carefully chosen so that initial spur chemistry is not perturbed and the N2 product yield corresponds to those reducing radicals that escape recombination in pure water. In comparison with a recent review recommendation of Elliot and Bartels (AECL report 153-127160-450-001, 2009), the measured reducing radical yield is seven percent smaller at room temperature but in fairly good agreement above 150 °C. The H2 escape yield is in good agreement throughout the temperature range with several previous studies that used much larger radical scavenging rates. Previous analysis of earlier high temperature measurements of Gesc( OH) is shown to be flawed, although the actual G values may be nearly correct. The methodology used in the present report greatly reduces the range of possible error and puts the high temperature escape yields for low-LET radiation on a much firmer quantitative foundation than was previously available.

Nanoscopic exclusion between Rad51 and 53BP1 after ion irradiation in human HeLa cells

Many proteins involved in detection, signalling and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) accumulate in large number in the vicinity of DSB sites, forming so called foci. Emerging evidence suggests that these foci are sub-divided in structural or functional domains. We use stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy to investigate localization of mediator protein 53BP1 and recombination factor Rad51 after irradiation of cells with low linear energy transfer (LET) protons or high LET carbon ions. With a resolution better than 100 nm, STED microscopy and image analysis using a newly developed analyzing algorithm, the reduced product of the differences from the mean, allowed us to demonstrate that with both irradiation types Rad51 occupies spherical regions of about 200 nm diameter. These foci locate within larger 53BP1 accumulations in regions of local 53BP1 depletion, similar to what has been described for the localization of Brca1, CtIP and RPA. Furthermore, localization relative to 53BP1 and size of Rad51 foci was not different after irradiation with low and high LET radiation. As expected, 53BP1 foci induced by low LET irradiation mostly contained one Rad51 focal structure, while after high LET irradiation, most foci contained >1 Rad51 accumulation.

Hyperthermia-induced radiosensitization in CHO wild-type, NHEJ repair mutant and HR repair mutant following proton and carbon-ion exposure.

The DNA repair mechanisms involved in hyperthermia-induced radiosensitization with proton and carbon ion radiation exposure were investigated in the present study. In a previous study, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were exposed to low linear energy transfer (LET) photon radiation. These cells can be sensitized by hyperthermia as a result of inhibition of homologous recombination (HR) repair. The present study used wild-type, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and HR repair-deficient CHO cells to define the contributions of each repair pathway to cellular lethality following hyperthermia-induced hadron radiation sensitization. The cells were exposed to ionizing radiation, followed by hyperthermia treatment (42.5°C for 1 h). Hyperthermia-induced radiosensitization was determined by the colony formation assay and thermal enhancement ratio. HR repair-deficient cells exhibited no hyper-sensitization to X-rays, protons, or low and high LET carbon ions when combined with hyperthermia. Wild-type and NHEJ repair-deficient cells exhibited significant hyperthermia-induced sensitization to low LET photon and hadron radiation. Hyperthermia-induced sensitization to high LET carbon-ion radiation was less than at low LET radiation. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) between radiation alone and radiation combined with hyperthermia cell groups was not significantly different in any of the cell lines, with the exception of wild-type cells exposed to high LET radiation, which exhibited a lower RBE in the combined group. The present study investigated additional cell lines to confirm the lower RBE observed in DNA repair-deficient cell lines. These findings suggested that hyperthermia-induced hyper-sensitization to hadron radiation is also dependent on inhibition of HR repair, as was observed with photon radiation in a previous study.

Space Environmental Factor Impacts upon Murine Colon Microbiota and Mucosal Homeostasis.

Astronaut intestinal health may be impacted by microgravity, radiation, and diet. The aim of this study was to characterize how high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, microgravity, and elevated dietary iron affect colon microbiota (determined by 16S rDNA pyrosequencing) and colon function. Three independent experiments were conducted to achieve these goals: 1) fractionated low LET γ radiation (137Cs, 3 Gy, RAD), high Fe diet (IRON) (650 mg/kg diet), and a combination of low LET γ radiation and high Fe diet (IRON+RAD) in male Sprague-Dawley rats; 2) high LET 38Si particle exposure (0.050 Gy), 1/6 G partial weight bearing (PWB), and a combination of high LET38Si particle exposure and PWB in female BalbC/ByJ mice; and 3) 13 d spaceflight in female C57BL/6 mice. Low LET radiation, IRON and spaceflight increased Bacteroidetes and decreased Firmicutes. RAD and IRON+RAD increased Lactobacillales and lowered Clostridiales compared to the control (CON) and IRON treatments. Low LET radiation, IRON, and spaceflight did not significantly affect diversity or richness, or elevate pathogenic genera. Spaceflight increased Clostridiales and decreased Lactobacillales, and similar trends were observed in the experiment using a ground-based model of microgravity, suggesting altered gravity may affect colonic microbiota. Although we noted no differences in colon epithelial injury or inflammation, spaceflight elevated TGFβ gene expression. Microbiota and mucosal characterization in these models is a first step in understanding the impact of the space environment on intestinal health.

Genomic stability in response to high versus low linear energy transfer radiation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Low linear energy transfer (LET) gamma rays and high LET HZE (high atomic weight, high energy) particles act as powerful mutagens in both plants and animals. DNA damage generated by HZE particles is more densely clustered than that generated by gamma rays. To understand the genetic requirements for resistance to high versus low LET radiation, a series of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants were exposed to either 1GeV Fe nuclei or gamma radiation. A comparison of effects on the germination and subsequent growth of seedlings led us to conclude that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the two types of radiation (HZE versus gamma) are roughly 3:1. Similarly, in wild-type lines, loss of somatic heterozygosity was induced at an RBE of about a 2:1 (HZE versus gamma). Checkpoint and repair defects, as expected, enhanced sensitivity to both agents. The “replication fork” checkpoint, governed by ATR, played a slightly more important role in resistance to HZE-induced mutagenesis than in resistance to gamma induced mutagenesis.

Clinical oxygen enhancement ratio of tumors in carbon ion radiotherapy: the influence of local oxygenation changes.

The effect of carbon ion radiotherapy on hypoxic tumors has recently been questioned because of low linear energy transfer (LET) values in the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hypoxia and local oxygenation changes (LOCs) in fractionated carbon ion radiotherapy. Three-dimensional tumors with hypoxic subvolumes were simulated assuming interfraction LOCs. Different fractionations were applied using a clinically relevant treatment plan with a known LET distribution. The surviving fraction was calculated, taking oxygen tension, dose and LET into account, using the repairable–conditionally repairable (RCR) damage model with parameters for human salivary gland tumor cells. The clinical oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) was defined as the ratio of doses required for a tumor control probability of 50% for hypoxic and well-oxygenated tumors. The resulting OER was well above unity for all fractionations. For the hypoxic tumor, the tumor control probability was considerably higher if LOCs were assumed, rather than static oxygenation. The beneficial effect of LOCs increased with the number of fractions. However, for very low fraction doses, the improvement related to LOCs did not compensate for the increase in total dose required for tumor control. In conclusion, our results suggest that hypoxia can influence the outcome of carbon ion radiotherapy because of the non-negligible oxygen effect at the low LETs in the SOBP. However, if LOCs occur, a relatively high level of tumor control probability is achievable with a large range of fractionation schedules for tumors with hypoxic subvolumes, but both hyperfractionation and hypofractionation should be pursued with caution.

Acute effects of ionizing radiation on human endothelial barrier function

The human vasculature is critical to healthy functioning of the tissues of the body and a major factor in maintaining homeostasis is the endothelial barrier. In the brain, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is highly specialized in order to sustain the neural tissue.Here, we have examined the effects of radiation on BBB models using a unique variety of endpoints to assess barrier function. These include trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), morphological effects, localization of adhesion and cell junction proteins (in two-dimensional monolayers and in three-dimensional tissue models) and permeability of molecules through the endothelial barrier. Two culture conditions were used to represent conditions on the inside or the lumen of vessels and conditions on the outside or ablumenal side of vessels. For the lumen, cells were cultured in serum and growth factor containing media, and for the ablumenal side of vessels, cells were cultured in serum-free defined media.Initial experiments with gamma rays in serum-free conditions revealed a previously unknown acute effect involving cell detachment and the loss of the clinically relevant cell adhesion molecule—cell platelet endothelial adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 [ 1]. Gamma radiation (5 Gy) induced a rapid and transient decrease in TEER at 3 h, with effects also seen at the lower radiotherapy dose of 2 Gy. This dip in resistance correlated with the transient loss PECAM-1 in discrete areas where cells often detached from the monolayer leaving gaps. Loss in PECAM-1 occurred at least in part as detached microparticles. Redistribution of PECAM-1 microparticles was also seen in three-dimensional human tissue models. By 6 h, the remaining cells had migrated to reseal the barrier, coincident with TEER returning to control levels. Resealed monolayers contained fewer cells per unit area and their barrier function was weakened as corroborated by an increased permeability over 24 h. Because PECAM-1 is involved in barrier function and platelet aggregation, this effect is likely highly relevant to cancer radiotherapy using gamma rays.These studies were extended to include low linear energy transfer (LET) photons of X-rays and ion particles present in the space environment—low LET ion particles including high energy (1 GeV) protons and helium ions. X-rays under serum-free conditions also showed an acute response involving a dip in TEER at 3 h and the loss of PECAM-1 between cells as microparticles. Ion particles, however, did not show these effects of photons under serum-free conditions. Both protons and helium ions at doses up to 5 Gy did not produce this transient change in TEER or PECAM-1, although some longer term effects in TEER were noted.In the presence of serum and growth factors, however, all radiations tested showed short-term effects in TEER, that of a series of symmetrical peaks which diminished in size over several hours. For 1 GeV protons and helium ions, this effect could be fitted to an equation for under-damped oscillation, a pattern typical of a mechanism for timing of events in periodic processes. For gamma and X-rays, the underdamped oscillation was present but superimposed on a drop in resistance at 3 h similar to that seen in serum-free conditions.In conclusion, we have shown two acute effects of low LET radiation on the human endothelial barrier. First, a short-term effect of photons but not ion particles involving a single dip in TEER and the loss of PECAM-1 at 3 h after irradiation, and second an underdamped oscillation of TEER induced by both photons and ion particles that to date does not appear to be associated with the loss of PECAM-1 or any other junction molecules.

Low and high linear energy transfer radiation sensitization of HCC cells by metformin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of metformin as a radiosensitizer for use in combination therapy for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Three human HCC cell lines (Huh7, HepG2, Hep3B) and a normal human hepatocyte cell line were treated with metformin alone or with radiation followed by metformin. In vitro tests were evaluated by clonogenic survival assay, FACS analysis, western blotting, immunofluorescence and comet assay. Metformin significantly enhanced radiation efficacy under high and low Linear Energy Transfer (LET) radiation conditions in vitro. In combination with radiation, metformin abrogated G2/M arrest and increased the cell population in the sub-G1 phase and the ROS level, ultimately increasing HCC cellular apoptosis. Metformin inhibits the repair of DNA damage caused by radiation. The radiosensitizing effects of metformin are much higher in neutron (high LET)-irradiated cell lines than in γ (low LET)-irradiated cell lines. Metformin only had a moderate effect in normal hepatocytes. Metformin enhances the radiosensitivity of HCC, suggesting it may have clinical utility in combination cancer treatment with high-LET radiation.

Visualisation of γH2AX Foci Caused by Heavy Ion Particle Traversal; Distinction between Core Track versus Non-Track Damage

Heavy particle irradiation produces complex DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) which can arise from primary ionisation events within the particle trajectory. Additionally, secondary electrons, termed delta-electrons, which have a range of distributions can create low linear energy transfer (LET) damage within but also distant from the track. DNA damage by delta-electrons distant from the track has not previously been carefully characterised. Using imaging with deconvolution, we show that at 8 hours after exposure to Fe (∼200 keV/µm) ions, γH2AX foci forming at DSBs within the particle track are large and encompass multiple smaller and closely localised foci, which we designate as clustered γH2AX foci. These foci are repaired with slow kinetics by DNA non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) in G1 phase with the magnitude of complexity diminishing with time. These clustered foci (containing 10 or more individual foci) represent a signature of DSBs caused by high LET heavy particle radiation. We also identified simple γH2AX foci distant from the track, which resemble those arising after X-ray exposure, which we attribute to low LET delta-electron induced DSBs. They are rapidly repaired by NHEJ. Clustered γH2AX foci induced by heavy particle radiation cause prolonged checkpoint arrest compared to simple γH2AX foci following X-irradiation. However, mitotic entry was observed when ∼10 clustered foci remain. Thus, cells can progress into mitosis with multiple clusters of DSBs following the traversal of a heavy particle.

Dysregulation of IRP1-Mediated Iron Metabolism Causes Gamma Ray-specific Radioresistance in Leukemia Cells

Iron is required for nearly all organisms, playing important roles in oxygen transport and many enzymatic reactions. Excess iron, however, can be cytotoxic. Emerging evidence suggests that radioresistance can be achieved in lower organisms by the protection of proteins, but not DNA, immediately following ionizing radiation (IR) exposure, allowing for improved DNA repair. One potential mechanism for protein protection is controlling and limiting the amount of free iron in cells, as has been demonstrated in the extremophile Deinococcus Radiodurans, reducing the potential for oxidative damage to proteins during exposure to IR. We found that iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) expression was markedly reduced in human myeloid leukemia HL60 cells resistant to low linear energy transfer (LET) gamma rays, but not to high LET alpha particles. Stable knockdown of IRP1 by short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference in radiosensitive parental cells led to radioresistance to low LET IR, reduced intracellular Fenton chemistry, reduced protein oxidation, and more rapid DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. The mechanism of radioresistance appeared to be related to attenuated free radical-mediated cell death. Control of intracellular iron by IRPs may be a novel radioresistance mechanism in mammalian cells.

Low LET protons focused to submicrometer shows enhanced radiobiological effectiveness

This study shows that enhanced radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) values can be generated focusing low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation and thus changing the microdose distribution. 20 MeV protons (LET = 2.65 keV µm−1) are focused to submicrometer diameter at the ion microprobe superconducting nanoprobe for applied nuclear (Kern) physics experiments of the Munich tandem accelerator. The RBE values, as determined by measuring micronuclei (RBEMN = 1.48 ± 0.07) and dicentrics (RBED = 1.92 ± 0.15), in human-hamster hybrid (AL) cells are significantly higher when 117 protons were focused to a submicrometer irradiation field within a 5.4 × 5.4 µm2 matrix compared to quasi homogeneous in a 1 × 1 µm2 matrix applied protons (RBEMN = 1.28 ± 0.07; RBED = 1.41 ± 0.14) at the same average dose of 1.7 Gy. The RBE values are normalized to standard 70 kV (dicentrics) or 200 kV (micronuclei) x-ray irradiation. The 117 protons applied per point deposit the same amount of energy like a 12C ion with 55 MeV total energy (4.48 MeV u−1). The enhancements are about half of that obtained for 12C ions (RBEMN = 2.20 ± 0.06 and RBED = 3.21 ± 0.10) and they are attributed to intertrack interactions of the induced damages. The measured RBE values show differences from predictions of the local effect model (LEM III) that is used to calculate RBE values for irradiation plans to treat tumors with high LET particles.