曲古霉素A增强肺癌细胞对放射线敏感性及机制

目的：探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂曲古霉素A（trichostatin A,TSA）增强人非小细胞肺癌（NscLc）A549对γ-射线敏感性作用及机制。方法：以TSA（0．51zM）预处理细胞18h,再以5Gyγ-射线照射细胞,24h后采用MTT法检测细胞存活率,AnnexinV—PI染色检测细胞凋亡,Westernblot法检测胞浆中和线粒体促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞线粒体膜电位变化。结果-5Gyγ-射线照射可轻度降低细胞存活率,仅有少量细胞发生凋亡,以TSA预处理再以γ-射线处理细胞,细胞存活率显著下降,凋亡细胞明显增多,伴有线粒体膜电位下降,以及Bax蛋白的激活,表现在线粒体Bax表达较单纯照射组显著增高。结论：TSA通过促进Bax蛋白的活化激活线粒体凋亡途径,增强增强A549细胞对γ-射线的敏感性。     

HCV NS3/4A基因外来表达对Huh7细胞凋亡及DNA损伤应答的影响

NS3/4A是丙型肝炎病毒（hepatitis C virus,HCV）编码的丝氨酸蛋白酶复合体,是病毒完成自身复制周期的必要成分。该研究为调查NS3/4A对细胞凋亡及DNA损伤应答（DNA-damage response,DDR）的影响,在Huh7细胞中表达了外来NS3/4A基因。通过DAPI染色和MTT分析显示,外来表达NS3/4A显著诱导细胞的凋亡和增殖活力的下降。免疫荧光检测结果表明,NS3/4A可明显增加细胞内源性DNA双链断裂（double strand breaks,DSBs）损伤（γH2AX灶点升高）;而进一步用X-ray诱导细胞外源性DSBs损伤后,外来表达NS3/4A的细胞显示出明显的DSBs损伤修复缺陷（减缓的γH2AX灶点消退）。免疫印迹法检测结果显示,NS3/4A可抑制喜树碱（Camptothecin,CPT）诱导的ATM第1 981位丝氨酸的磷酸化（pATM1 981）。以上结果提示,NS3/4A基因外来表达可引起细胞DNA损伤,抑制ATM介导的DSBs损伤修复信号,诱导细胞凋亡通路的活化。     

HIV-1Tat蛋白抑制DNA修复和增强细胞辐射敏感性

近年来临床研究发现,艾滋病合并肿瘤患者放疗后产生的正常组织和皮肤毒性反应明显高于普通肿瘤患者.本研究将探讨HIV-1Tat蛋白是否影响细胞对电离辐射敏感性及机理. 两个表达Tat蛋白的细胞系TT2和TE671-Tat均来源于人的横纹肌肉瘤细胞（TE671）并已转染了不同来源的tat基因.使用细胞辐射后克隆形成率检测辐射敏感性,RT-PCR和Western 印迹检测基因表达,彗星电泳和γ-H2AX位点检测DNA双链断裂和修复. TT2和TE671-Tat细胞的辐射敏感性与转染空载体及对照细胞相比明显增加.彗星电泳和γ-H2AX位点检测表明,在表达Tat蛋白的细胞中,辐射诱导DNA双链断裂的修复水平明显降低.通过RT-PCR和Western 印迹检测进一步证实,表达Tat蛋白的细胞中DNA修复蛋白DNA-PKcs的表达被抑制. HIV-1Tat蛋白抑制DNA-PKcs的表达,降低DNA双链断裂的修复,使细胞的电离辐射敏感性增高.本研究为了解AIDS合并肿瘤患者对放射治疗敏感性变化提供了重要信息.     

淫羊藿苷对博来霉素诱导的GC-1细胞DNA损伤的保护作用

该文旨在探究淫羊藿苷(icariin,ICA)对博来霉素(bleomycin,BLM)诱导的小鼠GC-1精原细胞DNA损伤的保护作用及其分子机制。将GC-1细胞分为正常对照组、BLM处理组(10 μg/mL)、BLM+不同浓度(0.5、1、2和4 μmol/L) ICA组。用不同浓度ICA预保护GC-1细胞12 h后加入BLM继续处理6 h,收集细胞,Western blot法检测DNA损伤相关蛋白γ-H2AX、DNA损伤修复相关通路蛋白(p-ATM、p-Chk1、p-P53和P21)、碱基切除修复(base excision repair,BER)相关通路蛋白(OGG1、APE1和XRCC1)的表达水平;免疫荧光技术检测γ-H2AX、8-OHdG表达与定位。结果表明,与正常对照组相比,BLM处理组中γ-H2AX、p-ATM、p-Chk1、p-P53、P21、OGG1、APE1和XRCC1的蛋白表达水平均显著上升,而ICA可浓度依赖性地下调BLM诱导的γ-H2AX、p-ATM、p-Chk1、p-P53、P21、OGG1、APE1和XRCC1蛋白表达水平。免疫荧光结果显示,与正常对照组相...     

曲古霉素A增强肺癌细胞对放射线敏感性及机制

目的:探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂曲古霉素A(trichostatin A,TSA)增强人非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)A549对γ-射线敏感性作用及机制。方法:以TSA(0.5μM)预处理细胞18h,再以5Gyγ-射线照射细胞,24h后采用MTT法检测细胞存活率,AnnexinV-PI染色检测细胞凋亡,Westemblot法检测胞浆中和线粒体促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞线粒体膜电位变化。结果:5Gyγ-射线照射可轻度降低细胞存活率,仅有少量细胞发生凋亡,以TSA预处理再以γ-射线处理细胞,细胞存活率显著下降,凋亡细胞明显增多,伴有线粒体膜电位下降,以及Bax蛋白的激活,表现在线粒体Bax表达较单纯照射组显著增高。结论:TSA通过促进Bax蛋白的活化激活线粒体凋亡途径,增强增强A549细胞对y-射线的敏感性。     

MLL3基因对宫颈癌细胞放射敏感性和DNA损伤修复能力的影响

摘要 目的：探究髓系/淋巴系或混合谱系白血病3基因（myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia 3,MLL3）对宫颈癌细胞生长、转移、放射敏感性的影响。方法：选择60例宫颈鳞癌患者的癌组织及配对癌旁组织,采用实时定量聚合酶链式反应（qRT-PCR）检测检测MLL3 mRNA水平。体外培养SiHa细胞,将其分为以下5组：Control组（不转染）、NC-sh组（转染阴性对照shRNA慢病毒）、MLL3-sh组（转染MLL3 shRNA慢病毒）、NC-OE组（转染阴性对照过表达慢病毒）和MLL3-OE组（转染MLL3过表达慢病毒）。进一步采用2300EX直线加速器9 MeV ?茁射线照射细胞建立放射抵抗SiHa细胞（SiHaR）,然后将其分为：NC-sh组、MLL3-sh组、8 Gy+NC-sh组和8 Gy+MLL3-sh组。NC-sh组和MLL3-sh组细胞不照射,8 Gy+NC-sh组和8 Gy+MLL3-sh组细胞用9 MeV β射线照射8 Gy。采用MTT法检测细胞增殖情况;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法检测细胞凋亡;Transwell检测细胞侵袭能力;qRT-PCR检测MLL3、共济失调毛细血管扩张征突变基因（ATM）、ATM-Rad3相关基因（ATR）、乳腺癌易感基因（BRCA1）和RAD50双链断裂修复蛋白（RAD50）的mRNA水平;Western blot检测MLL3、Bcl-2相关X蛋白基因（Bax）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因（Bcl-2）、cleaved caspase 3、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）2、MMP9和γ-H2AX的表达;免疫荧光染色检测γ-H2AX的表达。结果：与癌旁组织相比,宫颈鳞癌组织中的MLL3 mRNA水平显著降低（P<0.001）。与NC-sh组比较,MLL3-sh组SiHa细胞的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量降低,细胞活力升高,细胞凋亡率、Bax和cleaved caspase 3蛋白相对表达量降低,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量升高,侵袭细胞数量、MMP2和MMP9蛋白相对表达量升高（P<0.05）。与NC-OE组比较,MLL3-OE组SiHa细胞的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量升高,细胞活力降低,细胞凋亡率、Bax和cleaved caspase 3蛋白相对表达量升高,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量降低,侵袭细胞数量、MMP2和MMP9蛋白相对表达量降低（P<0.05）。与SiHa细胞相比,SiHaR细胞中的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量均升高（P<0.001）。与8 Gy+NC-sh组比较,8 Gy+MLL3-sh组SiHaR细胞的细胞活力降低,γ-H2AX的蛋白相对表达量和γ-H2AX foci数目升高,ATM、ATR、BRCA1和RAD50的mRNA水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：宫颈癌细胞MLL3的表达下调促进了其生长和转移,但降低DNA损伤修复能力,提高宫颈癌细胞的放射敏感性。     

西达本胺诱导胰腺癌细胞凋亡

目的：观察西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1生长抑制及诱导细胞凋亡作用,探讨西达本胺抗胰腺癌的机制。方法：西达本胺处理BxPC-3和PANC-1细胞后,用流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡率,用罗丹明123和DCFH—DA染色方法测定细胞线粒体膜跨膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）的产生,用Western印迹检测Bcl-2家族和γH2AX蛋白表达的变化。结果：西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1具有生长抑制和诱导细胞凋亡的作用,且呈时间和剂量依赖关系;处理72h后,胰腺癌细胞内ROS产生增强导致DNA损伤发生,且线粒体跨膜电位明显下降;促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,抑制抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Mcl—1的表达。结论：西达本胺具有抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡的作用;西达本胺增强胰腺癌细胞内ROS的产生并导致DNA损伤,最终诱导细胞凋亡的发生。     

mTOR／STAT3信号通路在谷氨酸诱导的PC12细胞损伤中的作用

目的：研究谷氨酸（glutamate,GIu）诱导PCI2细胞损伤后mTOR／STAT3信号通路的表达情况及对细胞损伤的保护作用。方法：用不同浓度谷氨酸作用不同时间诱导PCI2细胞损伤,筛选出合适的浓度和作用时间后,将细胞分为3组进行下一步实验,分别为A组：正常对照组;B组：20mmol／L谷氨酸处理组;C组：20mmol／L谷氨酸＋800nmol／L雷帕霉素（rapamycin,RAPA）处理组。应用流式细胞术检测各组处理12h后细胞凋亡率,Westernblot观察各组处理1h、4h、8h、12h后,P-mTOR,P-STAT3蛋白表达情况。结果：（1）谷氨酸对PCI2细胞的生长抑制作用随作用时间和作用浓度的增加而增强。（2）C组凋亡率明显高于A组和B组。（3）Westernblot检测结果表明B组各时间点p-mTOR,P．STAT3表达均高于A、c组,并在4h时达到高峰。结论：细胞损伤激活了mTOR／STAT3信号通路,该通路的激活减少了细胞凋亡,对谷氨酸导致的神经细胞损伤具有保护作用,有助于神经损伤的修复。     

与细胞周期G2/M期进程相关的H2AX磷酸化

γH2AX焦点(foci)被普遍当做DNA双链断裂（DSB）损伤的分子标志物.为探 讨细胞周期进程相关的H2AX磷酸化规律特征,采用胸腺嘧啶双阻滞结合噻氨酯哒唑(nocodazole)的后续处理,将HeLa细胞同步于有丝分裂的前中期．然后,用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期、Western印迹和免疫荧光法,观察γH2AX表达和γH2AX焦点的形成．结果显示,细胞进入G2/M期和有丝分裂过程中,γH2AX水平显著增加 ;在无DNA DSB发生的情况下,部分M期细胞中也存在大量的γH2AX焦点．随着细 胞完成有丝分裂从M期退出再进入G1期,γH2AX的表达水平逐渐降低．这种 γH2AX表达变化特征与G2/M期密切关联的PLK1和Cyclin B1的表达规律相类似． 在4 Gy大剂量照射下,HeLa细胞于照后8 到12 h出现明显的G2/M期阻滞．γH2AX 焦点数在照后1 h达高峰,随后降低,照后8 h又上升,出现了第2个峰值．与之不同的是,在1 Gy低剂量照射下,细胞的G2/M期阻滞微弱,γH2AX焦点数在照后 0.5 h最高,随后下降,且无反弹,符合DNA DSB的修复动力学特征．因此,将γ H2AX当做DNA DSB分子标志物时,还需要考虑细胞周期变化的影响．γH2AX适合 作为1 Gy以下照射的DNA双链断裂损伤的分子标志．     

PI3K激活NF-κB信号通路保护中子辐射致IEC-6细胞损伤

中子属于高传能线密度电离辐射,能产生比κ射线更为严重的放射损伤,肠上皮对中子辐射高度敏感,迄今未见有关中子辐射致肠上皮细胞损伤中PI3K对NF-κB信号通路调控的研究报道.本研究旨在探讨中子照射后肠上皮细胞中PI3K对NF-κB信号通路的调控及其在中子辐射致肠上皮细胞损伤中的作用.选取肠上皮细胞系-6（intestinal epithelial cell No.6,IEC-6）进行传代培养,随机分为对照组、4Gy中子照射组和4Gy中子照射＋LY294002处理组,照射组和LY294002处理组细胞采用4Gy中子均匀照射,LY294002处理组细胞在照前24h给予终浓度为10κmol/L的LY294002,各组于照射后6和24h采用MTT比色法、流式细胞术和免疫印迹（Western blot）方法检测IEC-6细胞增殖活力、凋亡与坏死率以及NF-κB信号通路相关分子NF-κB（p65）,IKKκ和IκBκ的表达变化.研究发现,4Gy中子照射后6和24h,IEC-6细胞增殖活力下降,凋亡和坏死率增加;应用LY294002后IEC-6细胞增殖活力较照射组明显下降,IEC-6细胞凋亡和坏死率较照射组增加.4Gy中子照射后6和24h,IEC-6细胞NF-κB（p65）和IKKκ表达升高,IκBκ表达降低;应用LY294002后NF-κB（p65）和IKKκ表达降低,IκBκ表达升高,表明4Gy中子照射可引起IEC-6细胞增殖活力下降,凋亡和坏死率增加;PI3K可激活NF-κB信号通路,对中子辐射IEC-6细胞损伤发挥保护作用.     

Ratio of γ-H2AX level in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes detected using flow cytometry as a potential biodosimeter for radiation exposure

This study aims to assess utilisation of the ratio of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes to that in granulocytes (RL/G of γ-H2AX) in blood as a rapid method for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies. Blood samples from healthy volunteers exposed to 0–10 Gy of ⁶⁰Co irradiation were collected. The samples were cultured for 0–24 h and then analysed using flow cytometry to measure the levels of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes and granulocytes. The basal RL/G levels of γ-H2AX in healthy human blood, the response of RL/G of γ-H2AX to ionising radiation and its relationship with doses, time intervals after exposure and individual differences were also analysed. The level of γ-H2AX in lymphocytes increased in a dose-dependent manner after irradiation, whereas the level in granulocytes was not affected. A linear dose–effect relationship with low inter-experimental and inter-individual variations was observed. The RL/G of γ-H2AX may be used as a biomarker for population triage and dose estimation during large-scale radiation emergencies if blood samples can be collected within 24 h.     

High Throughput Measurement of γH2AX DSB Repair Kinetics in a Healthy Human Population

The Columbia University RABiT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool) quantifies DNA damage using fingerstick volumes of blood. One RABiT protocol quantifies the total γ-H2AX fluorescence per nucleus, a measure of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) by an immunofluorescent assay at a single time point. Using the recently extended RABiT system, that assays the γ-H2AX repair kinetics at multiple time points, the present small scale study followed its kinetics post irradiation at 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 7 h and 24 h in lymphocytes from 94 healthy adults. The lymphocytes were irradiated ex vivo with 4 Gy γ rays using an external Cs-137 source. The effect of age, gender, race, ethnicity, alcohol use on the endogenous and post irradiation total γ-H2AX protein yields at various time points were statistically analyzed. The endogenous γ-H2AX levels were influenced by age, race and alcohol use within Hispanics. In response to radiation, induction of γ-H2AX yields at 0.5 h and peak formation at 2 h were independent of age, gender, ethnicity except for race and alcohol use that delayed the peak to 4 h time point. Despite the shift in the peak observed, the γ-H2AX yields reached close to baseline at 24 h for all groups. Age and race affected the rate of progression of the DSB repair soon after the yields reached maximum. Finally we show a positive correlation between endogenous γ-H2AX levels with radiation induced γ-H2AX yields (RIY) (r=0.257, P=0.02) and a negative correlation with residuals (r=-0.521, P=<0.0001). A positive correlation was also observed between RIY and DNA repair rate (r=0.634, P<0.0001). Our findings suggest age, race, ethnicity and alcohol use influence DSB γ-H2AX repair kinetics as measured by RABiT immunofluorescent assay.     

γ-H2AX Kinetic Profile in Mouse Lymphocytes Exposed to the Internal Emitters Cesium-137 and Strontium-90

In the event of a dirty bomb scenario or an industrial nuclear accident, a significant dose of volatile radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr may be dispersed into the atmosphere as a component of fallout and inhaled or ingested by hundreds and thousands of people. To study the effects of prolonged exposure to ingested radionuclides, we have performed long-term (30 day) internal-emitter mouse irradiations using soluble-injected ¹³⁷CsCl and ⁹⁰SrCl₂ radioisotopes. The effect of ionizing radiation on the induction and repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in peripheral mouse lymphocytes in vivo was determined using the γ-H2AX biodosimetry marker. Using a serial sacrifice experimental design, whole-body radiation absorbed doses for ¹³⁷Cs (0 to 10 Gy) and ⁹⁰Sr (0 to 49 Gy) were delivered over 30 days following exposure to each radionuclide. The committed absorbed doses of the two internal emitters as a function of time post exposure were calculated based on their retention parameters and their derived dose coefficients for each specific sacrifice time. In order to measure the kinetic profile for γ-H2AX, peripheral blood samples were drawn at 5 specific timed dose points over the 30-day study period and the total γ-H2AX nuclear fluorescence per lymphocyte was determined using image analysis software. A key finding was that a significant γ-H2AX signal was observed in vivo several weeks after a single radionuclide exposure. A mechanistically-motivated model was used to analyze the temporal kinetics of γ-H2AX fluorescence. Exposure to either radionuclide showed two peaks of γ-H2AX: one within the first week, which may represent the death of mature, differentiated lymphocytes, and the second at approximately three weeks, which may represent the production of new lymphocytes from damaged progenitor cells. The complexity of the observed responses to internal irradiation is likely caused by the interplay between continual production and repair of DNA damage, cell cycle effects and apoptosis.     

Analysis of flow cytometry DNA damage response protein activation kinetics after exposure to x rays and high-energy iron nuclei

We developed a mathematical method to analyze flow cytometry data to describe the kinetics of γ-H2AX and pATF2 phosphorylation in normal human fibroblast cells after exposure to various qualities of low-dose radiation. Previously reported flow cytometry kinetics for these DSB repair phospho-proteins revealed that distributions of intensity were highly skewed, severely limiting the detection of differences in the very low-dose range. Distributional analysis revealed significant differences between control and low-dose samples when distributions were compared using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Differences in radiation quality were found in the distribution shapes and when a nonlinear model was used to relate dose and time to the decay of the mean ratio of phospho-protein intensities of irradiated samples to controls. We analyzed cell cycle phase- and radiation quality-dependent characteristic repair times and residual phospho-protein levels with these methods. Characteristic repair times for γ-H2AX were higher after exposure to iron nuclei compared to X rays in G(1) cells and in S/G(2) cells. The RBE in G(1) cells for iron nuclei relative to X rays for γ-H2AX was 2.1 ± 0.6 and 5.0 ± 3.5 at 2 and 24 h after irradiation, respectively. For pATF2, a saturation effect was observed with reduced expression at high doses, especially for iron nuclei, with much slower characteristic repair times (>7 h) compared to X rays. RBEs for pATF2 were 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.7 ± 0.5 at 2 and 24 h, respectively. Significant differences in γ-H2AX and pATF2 levels when irradiated samples were compared to controls were noted even at the lowest dose analyzed (0.05 Gy). These results show that mathematical models can be applied to flow cytometry data to identify important and subtle differences after exposure to various qualities of low-dose radiation.     

Changes in phosphorylation of histone H2A.X and p53 in response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to gamma irradiation

The main aim of this study was to compare the reaction of quiescent and proliferating, i.e. phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to gamma-radiation, and analyse changes of proteins related to repair of DNA damage and apoptosis, such as gammaH2A.X, p53, p53 phosphorylation at serines-15 and -392, and p21 and their dose dependence. Freshly isolated PBMCs in peripheral blood are predominantly quiescent, in G(0) phase, and with very low amounts of proteins p53 and p21. Using confocal microscopy we detected dose dependent (0.5-5 Gy) induction of foci containing gammaH2A.X (1 h after gamma-ray exposure), which are formed around radiation-induced double strand breaks of DNA. Apoptosis was detected from 24 h after irradiation by the dose of 4 Gy onwards by Annexin V binding and lamin B cleavage. Seventy two hours after irradiation 70% of CD3(+) lymphocytes were A(+). Neither increase in p53 nor its phosphorylation on serine-392 after irradiation was detected in these cells. However, massive increase in p21 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A) was detected after irradiation, which can be responsible for late occurrence of apoptosis in these quiescent cells. PHA-stimulation itself (72 h) caused an increase in early apoptosis (A(+)PI(-)) in comparison to non-stimulated PBMCs (38% A(+) resp. 13.4%). After PHA-stimulation also the amount of gammaH2A.X, p53, and p21 increased, but no phosphorylation of p53 on serine-392 or -15 was detected. Reaction to gamma-radiation was different in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes: the p53 pathway was activated and p53 was phosphorylated on serines-15 and -392 4 h after irradiation by the dose of 4 Gy. Phosphorylation of p53 at serine-15 increased in a dose-dependent manner in the studied dose range 0.2-7.5 Gy. Also the amount of p21 increased after irradiation. Seventy two hours after irradiation of PHA-stimulated CD3(+) T lymphocytes by the dose of 4 Gy 65% of cells were A(+).     

Adapting the γ-H2AX assay for automated processing in human lymphocytes. 1. Technological aspects

The immunofluorescence-based detection of γ-H2AX is a reliable and sensitive method for quantitatively measuring DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in irradiated samples. Since H2AX phosphorylation is highly linear with radiation dose, this well-established biomarker is in current use in radiation biodosimetry. At the Center for High-Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry, we have developed a fully automated high-throughput system, the RABIT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool), that can be used to measure γ-H2AX yields from fingerstick-derived samples of blood. The RABIT workstation has been designed to fully automate the γ-H2AX immunocytochemical protocol, from the isolation of human blood lymphocytes in heparin-coated PVC capillaries to the immunolabeling of γ-H2AX protein and image acquisition to determine fluorescence yield. High throughput is achieved through the use of purpose-built robotics, lymphocyte handling in 96-well filter-bottomed plates, and high-speed imaging. The goal of the present study was to optimize and validate the performance of the RABIT system for the reproducible and quantitative detection of γ-H2AX total fluorescence in lymphocytes in a multiwell format. Validation of our biodosimetry platform was achieved by the linear detection of a dose-dependent increase in γ-H2AX fluorescence in peripheral blood samples irradiated ex vivo with γ rays over the range 0 to 8 Gy. This study demonstrates for the first time the optimization and use of our robotically based biodosimetry workstation to successfully quantify γ-H2AX total fluorescence in irradiated peripheral lymphocytes.     

Delayed kinetics of DNA double-strand break processing in normal and pathological aging

Accumulation of DNA damage may play an essential role in both cellular senescence and organismal aging. The ability of cells to sense and repair DNA damage declines with age. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for this age-dependent decline is still elusive. To understand quantitative and qualitative changes in the DNA damage response during human aging, DNA damage-induced foci of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), which occurs specifically at sites of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and eroded telomeres, were examined in human young and senescing fibroblasts, and in lymphocytes of peripheral blood. Here, we show that the incidence of endogenous γ-H2AX foci increases with age. Fibroblasts taken from patients with Werner syndrome, a disorder associated with premature aging, genomic instability and increased incidence of cancer, exhibited considerably higher incidence of γ-H2AX foci than those taken from normal donors of comparable age. Further increases in γ-H2AX focal incidence occurred in culture as both normal and Werner syndrome fibroblasts progressed toward senescence. The rates of recruitment of DSB repair proteins to γ-H2AX foci correlated inversely with age for both normal and Werner syndrome donors, perhaps due in part to the slower growth of γ-H2AX foci in older donors. Because genomic stability may depend on the efficient processing of DSBs, and hence the rapid formation of γ-H2AX foci and the rapid accumulation of DSB repair proteins on these foci at sites of nascent DSBs, our findings suggest that decreasing efficiency in these processes may contribute to genome instability associated with normal and pathological aging.     

The RABiT: high-throughput technology for assessing global DSB repair

At the Center for High-Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry, we have developed a rapid automated biodosimetry tool (RABiT); this is a completely automated, ultra-high-throughput robotically based biodosimetry workstation designed for use following a large-scale radiological event, to perform radiation biodosimetry measurements based on a fingerstick blood sample. High throughput is achieved through purpose built robotics, sample handling in filter-bottomed multi-well plates and innovations in high-speed imaging and analysis. Currently, we are adapting the RABiT technologies for use in laboratory settings, for applications in epidemiological and clinical studies. Our overall goal is to extend the RABiT system to directly measure the kinetics of DNA repair proteins. The design of the kinetic/time-dependent studies is based on repeated, automated sampling of lymphocytes from a central reservoir of cells housed in the RABiT incubator as a function of time after the irradiation challenge. In the present study, we have characterized the DNA repair kinetics of the following repair proteins: γ-H2AX, 53-BP1, ATM kinase, MDC1 at multiple times (0.5, 2, 4, 7 and 24 h) after irradiation with 4 Gy γ rays. In order to provide a consistent dose exposure at time zero, we have developed an automated capillary irradiator to introduce DNA DSBs into fingerstick-size blood samples within the RABiT. To demonstrate the scalability of the laboratory-based RABiT system, we have initiated a population study using γ-H2AX as a biomarker.     

咖啡因抑制辐照区和旁区细胞的γ-H2AX foci的形成

辐射诱导的旁效应不仅在体外实验存在,也在动物体内存在,这对辐射剂量的计算和辐射风险的评估有重要影响。咖啡因是一个模式辐射敏感剂,显著增强辐射的细胞毒性。咖啡因也显著增强辐射诱导的旁效应,咖啡因处理使未受辐照的旁细胞对损伤信号更加敏感,但其机理并不清楚。在正常人原代细胞AG1522中,分析了咖啡因处理对组蛋白H2AX磷酸化的影响,咖啡因显著减少α粒子辐射区和旁区γ-H2AX foci阳性细胞的比率和每个细胞γ-H2AX foci点数,表明咖啡因处理抑制了H2AX磷酸化,后者启动细胞对DNA双链断裂的修复,从而提示咖啡因增强辐射旁效应可能的机理,对辐射治疗具有重要意义。     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌诱导T淋巴细胞活化、凋亡的体外研究

目的检测牙龈卟啉单胞菌对人外周血中T淋巴细胞活化及凋亡的作用,并检测Fas/FasL在牙龈卟啉单胞菌(Porphyrom onas gingivalis,Pg)诱导的T淋巴细胞凋亡中的表达。方法选取10例全身及牙周组织健康受试者,分离外周血中T淋巴细胞,在有/无Pg情况下培养0~96 h,用荧光探针(Annexin V-FITC、PI、CD69)及特殊的单克隆抗体(Fas、FasL)进行标记,并进行流式细胞仪检测。结果 CD69+淋巴细胞+Pg组Annexin V+/PI-细胞百分数在各个时间点上都明显高于T淋巴细胞+Pg组(P0.01)。Fas和FasL的表达量明显上调。用抗Fas单克隆抗体阻滞Fas-FasL相互作用导致T细胞凋亡的明显减少,百分比为(20.56±2.43)%,未加抗体的为(50.41±2.68)%。但残余的细胞凋亡活动与阴性对照相比仍高。结论 Pg能够诱导人外周血中T淋巴细胞活化,并且能够通过活化促进其凋亡,Pg诱导T淋巴细胞凋亡主要通过Fas-FasL途径,并具有时间依赖性。