IRM-2近交系小鼠对电离辐射抗性的研究

目的观察IRM-2小鼠对电离辐射的耐受性.方法分析测定了IRM-2小鼠对137Csγ射线的LD50及经4.0Gy137Csγ射线照射后不同时间外周血白细胞、骨髓有核细胞总数、骨髓细胞DNA含量和脾结节的变化,并与亲代小鼠ICR和615进行了比较.结果用不同剂量的137Csγ射线照射后,IRM-2小鼠对γ射线的LD50比ICR和615小鼠分别高1.73～1.57Gy和1.44Gy;外周血白细胞数和骨髓有核细胞总数、骨髓细胞DNA含量下降的幅度小且恢复得快;CFU-S的增加也较ICR和615小鼠明显.结论IRM-2小鼠比一般的纯系和杂交品系小鼠具有更强的辐射抗性.     

Exo-1基因对端粒酶缺陷小鼠造血干细胞植入效率的影响

目的利用不同的造血干细胞移植方式,探讨Exo-1基因缺失对端粒酶基因敲除小鼠的造血干细胞植入效率的影响。方法以CD45.1小鼠的骨髓细胞或骨髓造血干细胞为供体,以端粒酶基因敲除小鼠或Exo-1基因和端粒酶基因双敲除小鼠为受体,在给予不同剂量X线照射或不照射的情况下,重复进行静脉注射全骨髓细胞或分选的骨髓造血干细胞(c-kit+、Sca-1+、lineage-,KSL),于移植后1个月取外周血,流式分析嵌合率。结果未经X线照射及1 Gy、2 Gy照射情况下,端粒酶基因缺陷受体小鼠的外周血中供体来源的细胞嵌合率较低;6 Gy照射后,供体来源的外周血细胞嵌合率仍低于50%,而且端粒酶基因缺陷受体小鼠在移植后1个月内死亡较多;3 Gy照射可形成较高嵌合率,Exo-1基因缺失对端粒酶缺陷小鼠的造血干细胞植入效率的影响不显著。结论以端粒酶缺陷小鼠作为衰老模型研究造血干细胞植入效率时,3 Gy X线照射能够有效地形成较高的外周血供体细胞的嵌合率,但是Exo-1基因没有进一步提高造血干细胞在端粒酶敲除小鼠的植入效率。     

X线全身照射对2型糖尿病KKAy小鼠造血免疫系统功能的影响

目的观察X线全身照射对2型糖尿病模型KKAy小鼠的造血免疫系统功能的损伤作用,并与对照C57小鼠进行比较。方法KKAy小鼠,分为对照组和照射组,照射组小鼠经X线全身照射,剂量4Gy,C57小鼠作为对照。照射后15d检测小鼠的外周血常规,流式细胞术检测骨髓中造血祖细胞、造血干细胞和长期造血干细胞的比例,脾中B细胞和T细胞的比例,胸腺中CD4CD8双阳性T细胞、CD4单阳性T细胞和CD8单阳性T细胞的比例。通过粒细胞集落形成能力实验评价小鼠造血祖细胞的功能。结果照射前KKAy小鼠的HSC和LT-HSC的比例低于C57小鼠。4Gy全身照射后,KKAy小鼠的外周血WBC、RBC、PLT、HGB和LYM%分别下降了68.42%、12.17%、8.78%、30.12%、70.84%;骨髓中HPC、HSC和LT-HSC的比例分别下降了34.02%、29.49%、35.74%;脾B细胞和T细胞的比例分别下降了57.85%、58.81%;胸腺CD4CD8双阳性细胞的比例下降了51.70%。KKAy小鼠的骨髓HSC、LT-HSC、外周血RBC和HGB的降低幅度显著低于C57小鼠。结论4Gy全身照射损伤KKAy小鼠的造血免疫系统功能,KKAy小鼠可能比C57小鼠表现出对电离辐射较强的耐受性。     

p18INK4C基因缺失增强造血干细胞在亚致死剂量照射小鼠体内长期植入能力

观察p18INK4C(p18)基因缺失对造血干细胞(HSC)在亚致死剂量照射小鼠体内长期植入的影响. 供体为p18基因缺失型(p18(/()纯系C57BL/6小鼠(CD45.2表型), 竞争性细胞来源于C57BL/6-Ly5.1(CD45.1/2)双表型小鼠, 受体为野生型(p18+/+)C57BL/6-Ly5.1(CD45.1)小鼠. 竞争性骨髓移植(cBMT)实验根据受体小鼠照射剂量的不同分为3个剂量组(10 Gy, 5 Gy和1 Gy). 供体细胞和竞争性细胞1:1混合后移植, 移植后采集外周血和骨髓细胞用流式细胞仪检测各细胞比例. 造血恢复移植实验: 移植后检测外周血白细胞计数评价移植后造血恢复速度. 10和5 Gy照射剂量组, 供体细胞和竞争性细胞成功植入, 而1 Gy照射剂量组无供体细胞植入. 无论在10 Gy或是5 Gy照射剂量情况下, 供体细胞在受体内的比例均高于竞争性细胞. 移植后6周, 10和5 Gy照射剂量时外周血中供体细胞比例分别为竞争性细胞的1.46±0.21倍和1.64±0.43倍, 14周时分别为竞争性细胞的1.84±0.25倍和2.00±0.49倍, 26周时分别为竞争性细胞的3.13±0.79倍和3.24±1.33倍. 移植后6个月, 10 Gy照射剂量时骨髓细胞中供体细胞比例为竞争性细胞的7.68±4.42倍, 5 Gy照射剂量时为竞争性细胞的10.83±2.98倍. 移植后6个月, 在10和5 Gy照射剂量组之间骨髓中造血细胞植入率相当, 分别为(85.53±8.71)%和(80.87±2.87)% (P = 0.457). p18(/(细胞与p18+/+细胞相比, 移植后造血恢复的速度相当. p18基因缺失可以显著增强HSC在亚致死剂量照射小鼠体内的长期植入能力.     

大豆异黄酮对辐射小鼠造血系统损伤防护作用的实验研究

研究大豆异黄酮(SoybeanIsoflavone,SI)对辐射损伤小鼠造血系统功能的影响。雄性昆明小鼠照射前补充SI,经4Gyγ射线照射,观察补充SI对电离辐射损伤小鼠内源性脾结节(CFU-S)数、骨髓细胞粒、巨噬系细胞集落形成单位(CFU-GM)数、骨髓细胞DNA含量及外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤程度的影响。结果显示SI提高了辐射损伤小鼠CFU-S数,增加了骨髓有核细胞CFU-GM数,降低外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤程度,对骨髓细胞DNA含量也有一定的增加趋势。表明SI可以提高辐射损伤小鼠造血干祖细胞的增殖能力,减轻辐射对骨髓细胞和外周血淋巴细胞DNA的损害,SI对辐射小鼠的造血系统有一定的防护作用。     

p18INK4C基因缺失增强造血干细胞在亚致死剂量

观察p18^INK4C (p18)基因缺失对造血干细胞(HSC)在亚致死剂量照射小鼠体内长期植入的影响. 供体为p18基因缺失型(p18^-/-)纯系C57BL/6小鼠(CD45.2表型), 竞争性细胞来源于C57BL/6-Ly5.1(CD45.1/2)双表型小鼠, 受体为野生型(p18^+/+)C57BL/6-Ly5.1(CD45.1)小鼠. 竞争性骨髓移植(cBMT)实验根据受体小鼠照射剂量的不同分为3个剂量组(10 Gy, 5 Gy和1 Gy). 供体细胞和竞争性细胞1:1混合后移植, 移植后采集外周血和骨髓细胞用流式细胞仪检测各细胞比例. 造血恢复移植实验: 移植后检测外周血白细胞计数评价移植后造血恢复速度. 10和5 Gy照射剂量组, 供体细胞和竞争性细胞成功植入, 而1 Gy照射剂量组无供体细胞植入. 无论在10 Gy或是5 Gy照射剂量情况下, 供体细胞在受体内的比例均高于竞争性细胞. 移植后6周, 10和5 Gy照射剂量时外周血中供体细胞比例分别为竞争性细胞的1.46±0.21倍和1.64±0.43倍, 14周时分别为竞争性细胞的1.84±0.25倍和2.00±0.49倍, 26周时分别为竞争性细胞的3.13±0.79倍和3.24±1.33倍. 移植后6个月, 10 Gy照射剂量时骨髓细胞中供体细胞比例为竞争性细胞的7.68±4.42倍, 5 Gy照射剂量时为竞争性细胞的10.83±2.98倍. 移植后6个月, 在10和5 Gy照射剂量组之间骨髓中造血细胞植入率相当, 分别为(85.53±8.71)%和(80.87±2.87)% (P = 0.457). p18^-/-细胞与p18^+/+细胞相比, 移植后造血恢复的速度相当. p18基因缺失可以显著增强HSC在亚致死剂量照射小鼠体内的长期植入能力.     

HAPO促进放射损伤小鼠的造血重建

目的 明确人促血液血管细胞生成素 (HAPO)对骨髓抑制小鼠的造血重建作用。方法 研究HAPO、G-CSF对骨髓抑制小鼠的促造血作用,以700 cGy 137Csγ射线全身照射的Balb/c小鼠为模型,观察照射后小鼠的生存率;检查血常规;计数内源性脾结节;计数骨髓细胞数;采用半固体培养基进行集落培养检测骨髓细胞的高增殖潜能;取小鼠骨髓细胞接种于96孔培养板,分别在照射前或照射后加HAPO、G-CSF培养72hr,MTT方法测定活细胞数;取小鼠骨髓细胞,分别在照射后加HAPO,培养3周后观察各组小鼠骨髓细胞的生长情况。结果 HAPO、G-CSF均可明显提高放射后的小鼠的生存率;使内源性的脾集落增加。照射后的各组小鼠外周血白细胞变化较为明显,HAPO组白细胞恢复快于PBS组,也可高于G-CSF组。各组小鼠骨髓细胞数虽然14天时G-CSF组最为明显,但32天时HAPO组骨髓细胞数超过G-CSF组,至42天时基本恢复正常;而G-CSF组在32天、42天时骨髓细胞数仍低于正常值。在7天、14天、32天时取各组小鼠骨髓细胞高增殖潜能检测试验,HAPO组生成的GEMM-CFU数均最多。在照射前与HAPO、G-CSF孵育的骨髓细胞,HAPO组活细胞数量比对照组明显增高,而G-CSF组与对照组无明显差异。骨髓细胞被照射后培养72hr时,MTT测定显示不同剂量HAPO、G-CSF均能促进放射后骨髓细胞的增殖。骨髓细胞被照射后继续培养3周,HAPO组均有造血岛生成,细胞sca-1、CD31呈阳性,周围CD31阳性的内皮细胞增多。而PBS组则未出现造血岛,基质细胞中极少有CD31阳性细胞的内皮细胞,未发现sca-1阳性细胞。结论 体内、外实验表明,人促血液血管细胞生成素HAPO对放射损伤的Balb/c小鼠有明显的促造血重建作用,提高小鼠的生存率,促进其造血干细胞的增殖与生长。     

IRM-2小鼠移植性肿瘤模型的生物学特性

目的观察IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠接种Lewis肺癌生物学特性的对比研究。方法取肿瘤组织研磨,用生理盐水稀释成2×10^6/mL,取细胞悬液接种于IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠腋下,0.2 mL/只。观察两品系肿瘤生长、荷瘤鼠生存时间,外周血细胞及病理指标变化。结果两品系小鼠成瘤率均是100%,荷瘤鼠存活时间无明显差异,IRM-2小鼠荷瘤鼠体重净增长明显高于C57BL/6荷瘤小鼠（P〈0.05）。白细胞分类及病理指标变化无明显差别。结论IRM-2小鼠与C57BL/6小鼠Lewis肺癌模型生物学特性基本一致,IRM-2小鼠可以建立稳定的Lewis肺癌肿瘤模型应用于实验研究。     

IRM-2近交系小鼠的生殖生长特性

目的获取IRM-2近交系小鼠的生殖生长特性的有关资料.方法ICR/JCL为母本,以615小鼠为父本杂交选育的近交系小鼠IRM-2,现已繁育至第38代.经过对其生殖、生长特性的观察和测定来取得相关资料.结果该小鼠出生后45d性成熟;繁殖能力强,平均每窝产仔数为8只以上,最高可达15只;生长发育迅速,出生后60d体重可达28g以上,各脏器重均高于亲代鼠.结论从各项指标来看,IRM-2小鼠是优良的近交品系小鼠.     

巴西莓和诺尼果粉对C57BL/6J小鼠抗8Gy 剂量辐射的初步研究

目的:比较研究巴西莓果粉Herbal Clean Energy和诺尼果粉Noni GIA通过消除自由基、降低造血细胞凋亡等作用对8Gy大剂量γ线照射后小鼠活存的影响。方法:将C57BL/6J小鼠随机分组、每组雌雄各半,单一果粉在相同灌胃剂量下采用照前灌胃10天、照后灌胃10天以及照前照后灌胃10天三种灌胃方式,首先观察了小鼠在用钴60γ线8Gy致死剂量照后40天活存率;其次在上述相同条件处理下,照后10天对小鼠外周血白细胞计数、CD4+和CD8+淋巴细胞类型、活性氧、骨髓造血细胞凋亡率等分析。结果:生理盐水灌胃组C57BL/6J小鼠受8Gy照射在第18天全部死亡(n=20,下同),死亡率100%,而照前10天灌胃后照射8Gy试验组:巴西莓和诺尼果粉组照后40天活存10/20只,诺尼果粉组第40天活存9/20,巴西莓果粉组第40天活存8/20。在照后灌胃的组别中,诺尼果粉组第40天活存7/20,巴西莓和诺尼果粉组第40天活存4/20只,巴西莓果粉组第40天活存2/20。照射前后单独或联合灌胃两种果粉组外周血白细胞均有升高,而骨髓造血细胞凋亡降低,而且果粉灌胃小鼠外周血Th/Tc比率同对照组相比明显保持于正常值范围。红细胞和血小板数据无明显变化,活性氧含量则呈现无规律表现。结论:巴西莓和诺尼果粉对小鼠抗辐射有预防作用,其细胞学表现为保持造血增殖能力、降低造血细胞凋亡,并维持Th/Tc免疫平衡;显示果粉对保持造血和免疫能力是提高抵抗辐射损伤、提高活存的基础。同时表明,服用巴西莓果粉和诺尼果粉,对人体防止辐射损伤有预防作用。     

The level of DNA damage in mouse hematopoietic cells and in frog and human blood cells,as induced by the action of reactive oxygen species in vitro

Comparative studies of the level of DNA damage induced in vitro by X-rays (0–8 Gy) or hydrogen peroxide (0–300 µM) in cells of blood, spleen, and bone marrow of mice and in blood cells of frogs and humans were performed using the alkaline comet assay. For both agents, the levels of induced DNA damage in leucocytes/splenocytes of mice were higher than those in blood cells of frogs and humans, while in human leucocytes, they were comparable with those in frog blood cells. The rate of DNA repair in frog blood cells was very slow. The results suggest that the levels of radiation-induced DNA damage are not in accordance with species radiosensitivity (according to LD_50/30) but rather with the intrinsic peculiarities of cells.     

Delta-Tocotrienol Suppresses Radiation-Induced MicroRNA-30 and Protects Mice and Human CD34+ Cells from Radiation Injury

We reported that microRNA-30c (miR-30c) plays a key role in radiation-induced human cell damage through an apoptotic pathway. Herein we further evaluated radiation-induced miR-30 expression and mechanisms of delta-tocotrienol (DT3), a radiation countermeasure candidate, for regulating miR-30 in a mouse model and human hematopoietic CD34+ cells. CD2F1 mice were exposed to 0 (control) or 7–12.5 Gy total-body gamma-radiation, and CD34+ cells were irradiated with 0, 2 or 4 Gy of radiation. Single doses of DT3 (75 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection for mice or 2 μM for CD34+ cell culture) were administrated 24 h before irradiation and animal survival was monitored for 30 days. Mouse bone marrow (BM), jejunum, kidney, liver and serum as well as CD34+ cells were collected at 1, 4, 8, 24, 48 or 72 h after irradiation to determine apoptotic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, miR-30, and stress response protein expression. Our results showed that radiation-induced IL-1β release and cell damage are pathological states that lead to an early expression and secretion of miR-30b and miR-30c in mouse tissues and serum and in human CD34+ cells. DT3 suppressed IL-1β and miR-30 expression, protected against radiation-induced apoptosis in mouse and human cells, and increased survival of irradiated mice. Furthermore, an anti-IL-1β antibody downregulated radiation-induced NFκBp65 phosphorylation, inhibited miR-30 expression and protected CD34+ cells from radiation exposure. Knockdown of NFκBp65 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly suppressed radiation-induced miR-30 expression in CD34+ cells. Our data suggest that DT3 protects human and mouse cells from radiation damage may through suppression of IL-1β-induced NFκB/miR-30 signaling.     

Characteristics of tumors that have developed in mice injected with syngenic irradiated mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in virtually all organs and tissues. These cells can presumably be transformed into tumor stem cells by genotoxic factors and, subsequently, initiate tumor growth. The aim of the present work consisted in analysis of the possibility of malignant transformation of cultured MSCs from the bone marrow (BM) of mice after in vitro exposure to γ-radiation and in the characterization of biochemical and histological features of tumors that developed after the transplantation of BM MSCs to syngenic mice. Two of five mice developed tumors 3 to 4 months after the subcutaneous injection of BM MSCs irradiated at a dose of 1 Gy, five of five animals developed tumors after the administration of BM MSCs irradiated at a dose of 6 Gy, and only one of five mice injected with nonirradiated BM MSCs developed a tumor 6 months after cell transplantation. Telomerase activity in a tumor that developed from BM MSCs irradiated at a dose of 6 Gy was twice as high as that in the tumor that developed from BM MSCs irradiated at a dose of 1 Gy. The histological structure of the neoplasms corresponded to that of multicomponent mesenchymoma, a malignant tumor also termed “a mix of sarcomas.” The tumors consisted of tissue fragments of different histological types. Thus, BM MSCs exposed to 1 or 6 Gy of radiation can be transformed into tumor cells and give rise to multicomponent mesenchymomas, whereas malignant transformation of control BM MSCs occurs much less often.     

Glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, does not enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in mouse thymocytes and splenocytes in vitro

Earlier studies have shown that 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a glucose analogue and inhibitor of glycolytic ATP production selectively enhances radiation-induced damage in cancer cells by inhibiting the energy (ATP) dependent postirradiation DNA and cellular repair processes. A reduction in radiation induced cytogenetic damage has been reported in normal cells viz., peripheral blood lymphocytes and bone marrow cells. Since induction of apoptosis plays a major role in determining the radiosensitivity of some most sensitive normal cells including splenocytes and thymocytes, we investigated the effects of 2-DG on radiation induced apo tosis in these cells in vitro. Thymocytes and splenocytes isolated from normal Swiss albino mouse were irradiated with Co60 gamma-rays and analyzed for apoptosis at various post-irradiation times. 2-DG added at the time of irradiation was present till the termination of cultures. A time dependent, spontaneous apoptosis was evident in both the cell systems, with nearly 40% of the cells undergoing apoptosis at 12 hr of incubation. The dose response of radiation-induced apoptosis was essentially similar in both the cell systems and was dependent on the incubation time. More than 70% of the splenocytes and 60% of the thymocytes were apoptotic by 12 hr following an absorbed dose of 2 Gy. Presence of 2-DG marginally reduced the fraction of splenocytes undergoing apoptosis at all absorbed doses, while no change was observed in thymocytes. Presence of 2-DG did not significantly alter either the level or the rate of induction of spontaneous apoptosis in both these cell systems. These results are consistent with the earlier findings on radiation-induced cytogenetic damage in human PBL in vitro and mouse bone marrow cells and lend further support to the proposition that 2-DG does not enhance radiation damage in normal cells, while radiosensitizing the tumors and hence is an ideal adjuvant in the radiotherapy of tumors.     

Friend leukemia virus infection enhances DNA damage-induced apoptosis of hematopoietic cells,causing lethal anemia in C3H hosts

Exposure of hematopoietic progenitors to gamma irradiation induces p53-dependent apoptosis. However, host responses to DNA damage are not uniform and can be modified by various factors. Here, we report that a split low-dose total-body irradiation (TBI) (1.5 Gy twice) to the host causes prominent apoptosis in bone marrow cells of Friend leukemia virus (FLV)-infected C3H mice but not in those of FLV-infected DBA mice. In C3H mice, the apoptosis occurs rapidly and progressively in erythroid cells, leading to lethal host anemia, although treatment with FLV alone or TBI alone induced minimal apoptosis in bone marrow cells. A marked accumulation of P53 protein was demonstrated in bone marrow cells from FLV-infected C3H mice 12 h after treatment with TBI. Although a similar accumulation of P53 was also observed in bone marrow cells from FLV-infected DBA mice treated with TBI, the amount appeared to be parallel to that of mice treated with TBI alone and was much lower than that of FLV- plus TBI-treated C3H mice. To determine the association of p53 with the prominent enhancement of apoptosis in FLV- plus TBI-treated C3H mice, p53 knockout mice of the C3H background (C3H p53(-/-)) were infected with FLV and treated with TBI. As expected, p53 knockout mice exhibited a very low frequency of apoptosis in the bone marrow after treatment with FLV plus TBI. Further, C3H p53(-/-) --> C3H p53(+/+) bone marrow chimeric mice treated with FLV plus TBI survived even longer than the chimeras treated with FLV alone. These findings indicate that infection with FLV strongly enhances radiation-induced apoptotic cell death of hematopoietic cells in host animals and that the apoptosis occurs through a p53-associated signaling pathway, although the response was not uniform in different host strains.     

REDD1 protects osteoblast cells from gamma radiation-induced premature senescence

Radiotherapy is commonly used for cancer treatment. However, it often results in side effects due to radiation damage in normal tissue, such as bone marrow (BM) failure. Adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) reside in BM next to the endosteal bone surface, which is lined primarily by hematopoietic niche osteoblastic cells. Osteoblasts are relatively more radiation-resistant than HSPCs, but the mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that the stress response gene REDD1 (regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1) was highly expressed in human osteoblast cell line (hFOB) cells after γ irradiation. Knockdown of REDD1 with siRNA resulted in a decrease in hFOB cell numbers, whereas transfection of PCMV6-AC-GFP-REDD1 plasmid DNA into hFOB cells inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p21 expression and protected these cells from radiation-induced premature senescence (PS). The PS in irradiated hFOB cells were characterized by significant inhibition of clonogenicity, activation of senescence biomarker SA-β-gal, and the senescence-associated cytokine secretory phenotype (SASP) after 4 or 8 Gy irradiation. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the stress response proteins p53 and nuclear factor κ B (NFkB) interacted with REDD1 in hFOB cells. Knockdown of NFkB or p53 gene dramatically suppressed REDD1 protein expression in these cells, indicating that REDD1 was regulated by both factors. Our data demonstrated that REDD1 is a protective factor in radiation-induced osteoblast cell premature senescence.     

Captopril protects mice bone marrow cells against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation

The radioprotective effects of captopril were investigated by using the micronucleus test for anticlastogenic and cell proliferation activity. A single intraperitoneal administration of captopril at doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg 1 h prior to gamma irradiation (2 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronuleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs). All three doses of captopril significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and increased polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE)/PCE+NCE (normochromatic erythrocyte) ratio in mice bone marrow compared to the non-drug-treated irradiated control (p < 0.001). The optimum dose for protection in mouse was 10 mg/kg to protect mice bone marrow 2.18-fold against the clastogenic effects of gamma-irradiation with respect to the non-drug-treated irradiated control. There was a drug dose-response effect of captopril in increasing the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio in bone marrow cells. The maximum protective effect of captopril was at a dose of 25 mg/kg for increasing the PCE/PCE + NCE ratio. Captopril exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, scavenging > 96% of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radicals when used at a concentration of 0.2 mM. In this study captopril reduced lipid peroxidation induced by hydrogen peroxide in mice liver. It appears that captopril, due to its free radical scavenging properties, protects mice bone marrow cells from radiation-induced DNA damage and genotoxicity.     

Inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuates ionizing radiation-induced hematopoietic cell senescence and residual bone marrow injury

Exposure to a moderate or high total-body dose of radiation induces not only acute bone marrow suppression but also residual (or long-term) bone marrow injury. The induction of residual bone marrow injury is primarily attributed to the induction of hematopoietic cell senescence by ionizing radiation. However, the mechanisms underlying radiation-induced hematopoietic cell senescence are not known and thus were investigated in the present study. Using a well-established long-term bone marrow cell culture system, we found that radiation induced hematopoietic cell senescence at least in part via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38). This suggestion is supported by the finding that exposure to radiation selectively activated p38 in bone marrow hematopoietic cells. The activation was associated with a significant reduction in hematopoietic cell clonogenic function, an increased expression of p16(INK4a) (p16), and an elevated senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. All these changes were attenuated by p38 inhibition with a specific p38 inhibitor, SB203580 (SB). Selective activation of p38 was also observed in bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) after mice were exposed to a sublethal total-body dose (6.5 Gy) of radiation. Treatment of the irradiated mice with SB after total-body irradiation (TBI) increased the frequencies of HSCs and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in their bone marrow and the clonogenic functions of the irradiated HSCs and HPCs. These findings suggest that activation of p38 plays a role in mediating radiation-induced hematopoietic cell senescence and residual bone marrow suppression.     

MicroRNA-30 inhibits antiapoptotic factor Mcl-1 in mouse and human hematopoietic cells after radiation exposure

We previously reported that microRNA-30 (miR-30) expression was initiated by radiation-induced proinflammatory factor IL-1β and NFkB activation in mouse and human hematopoietic cells. However, the downstream effectors of miR-30 and its specific role in radiation-induced cell death are not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated effects of radiation on miR-30 expression and activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway Bcl-2 family factors in in vivo mouse and in vitro human hematopoietic cells. CD2F1 mice and human CD34+ cells were exposed to different doses of gamma-radiation. In addition to survival studies, mouse blood, bone marrow (BM) and spleen cells and human CD34+ cells were collected at 4 h, and 1, 3 and 4 days after irradiation to determine apoptotic and stress response signals. Our results showed that mouse serum miR-30, DNA damage marker γ-H2AX in BM, and Bim, Bax and Bak expression, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 and -7 activation in BM and/or spleen cells were upregulated in a radiation dose-dependent manner. Antiapoptotic factor Mcl-1 was significantly downregulated, whereas Bcl-2 was less changed or unaltered in the irradiated mouse cells and human CD34+ cells. Furthermore, a putative miR-30 binding site was found in the 3′ UTR of Mcl-1 mRNA. miR-30 directly inhibits the expression of Mcl-1 through binding to its target sequence, which was demonstrated by a luciferase reporter assay, and the finding that Mcl-1 was uninhibited by irradiation in miR-30 knockdown CD34+ cells. Bcl-2 expression was not affected by miR-30. Our data suggest miR-30 plays a key role in radiation-induced apoptosis through directly targeting Mcl-1in hematopoietic cells.