Dominik Oskamp

Early gene expression in human lymphocytes after gamma-irradiation–a genetic pattern with potential for biodosimetry

Purpose: Identification of early radiation response genes (ERG) in human lymphocytes after γ-irradiation by using the whole-human-genome DNA-microarrays and the evaluation of their possible role in rapid radiation biodosimetry by applying real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methodology for validation in a small group of human individuals. Materials and methods: Whole blood from a healthy human donor was exposed at 37°C to 137Cs γ-radiations (absorbed dose: 1–4 Gy). Fifteen minutes following irradiation the lymphocytes were isolated from the blood (for 2 h at 20°C) and their gene expression was investigated using the DNA-microarrays. Subsequently, 14 genes were selected and validated using the TaqMan™ probes based upon the RT-qPCR assay within a group of 6 human donors. Results: A dose-related relative change in quantitative gene expression using the DNA-microarray assay was demonstrated in 24 of 102 genes. Up-regulation of expression was observed in 15 genes: CD69 (CD69 molecule), CDKN1A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A), EGR1 (early growth response 1), EGR4 (early growth response 4), FLJ35725 (chromosome 4 ORF 23), hCG2041177 (hCG – human Celera® Genome), hCG1643466.2, IFN-γ (interferon-γ), ISG20L (interferon stimulated exonuclease gene 20 kDa – like 1), c-JUN (jun oncogene), MDM2 (mouse double minute 2), MUC5B (mucine), PLK2 (polo-like kinase 2), RND1 (rho-family GTPase 1) and TNFSF9 (tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 9). Down-regulation of expression was found in the remaining nine genes: GRIK3 (glutamate receptor ionotropic kainate 3), hCG1985174, hCG1998530, hCG2038519, OCLN (occludin), RPL10A (ribosomal protein L10a), SERHL2 (serine hydrolase-like 2), SGK3 (serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 3) and STARD13 (START domain containing 13). Conclusion: A significant correlation between absorbed radiation dose and change in relative gene expression was particularly evident for EGR1, EGR4, IFN-γ, c-JUN and TNFSF9 (p ≤ 0.05). Results warrant the further investigation of these ERG as potential biodosimetric markers.

Examining Radiation-Induced In Vivo and In Vitro Gene Expression Changes of the Peripheral Blood in Different Laboratories for Biodosimetry Purposes: First RENEB Gene Expression Study

The risk of a large-scale event leading to acute radiation exposure necessitates the development of high-throughput methods for providing rapid individual dose estimates. Our work addresses three goals, which align with the directive of the European Unions Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry project (EU-RENB): 1. To examine the suitability of different gene expression platforms for biodosimetry purposes; 2. To perform this examination using blood samples collected from prostate cancer patients (in vivo) and from healthy donors (in vitro); and 3. To compare radiation-induced gene expression changes of the in vivo with in vitro blood samples. For the in vitro part of this study, EDTA-treated whole blood was irradiated immediately after venipuncture using single X-ray doses (1 Gy/min−1 dose rate, 100 keV). Blood samples used to generate calibration curves as well as 10 coded (blinded) samples (0–4 Gy dose range) were incubated for 24 h in vitro, lysed and shipped on wet ice. For the in vivo part of the study PAXgene tubes were used and peripheral blood (2.5 ml) was collected from prostate cancer patients before and 24 h after the first fractionated 2 Gy dose of localized radiotherapy to the pelvis [linear accelerator (LINAC), 580 MU/min, exposure 1–1.5 min]. Assays were run in each laboratory according to locally established protocols using either microarray platforms (2 laboratories) or qRT-PCR (2 laboratories). Report times on dose estimates were documented. The mean absolute difference of estimated doses relative to the true doses (Gy) were calculated. Doses were also merged into binary categories reflecting aspects of clinical/diagnostic relevance. For the in vitro part of the study, the earliest report time on dose estimates was 7 h for qRT-PCR and 35 h for microarrays. Methodological variance of gene expression measurements (CV ≤10% for technical replicates) and interindividual variance (≤twofold for all genes) were low. Dose estimates based on one gene, ferredoxin reductase (FDXR), using qRT-PCR were as precise as dose estimates based on multiple genes using microarrays, but the precision decreased at doses ≥2 Gy. Binary dose categories comprising, for example, unexposed compared with exposed samples, could be completely discriminated with most of our methods. Exposed prostate cancer blood samples (n = 4) could be completely discriminated from unexposed blood samples (n = 4, P < 0.03, two-sided Fishers exact test) without individual controls. This could be performed by introducing an in vitro-to-in vivo correction factor of FDXR, which varied among the laboratories. After that the in vitro-constructed calibration curves could be used for dose estimation of the in vivo exposed prostate cancer blood samples within an accuracy window of ±0.5 Gy in both contributing qRT-PCR laboratories. In conclusion, early and precise dose estimates can be performed, in particular at doses ≤2 Gy in vitro. Blood samples of prostate cancer patients exposed to 0.09–0.017 Gy could be completely discriminated from pre-exposure blood samples with the doses successfully estimated using adjusted in vitro-constructed calibration curves.

Comparable dose estimates of blinded whole blood samples are obtained independently of culture conditions and analytical approaches. Second RENEB gene expression study

Abstract Purpose: This collaboration of five established European gene expression labs investigated the potential impact of culture conditions on the transcriptional response of peripheral blood to radiation exposure. Materials and methods: Blood from one healthy donor was exposed ex vivo to a Cobalt 60 source to produce a calibration curve in addition to four unknown doses. After exposure, the blood samples were either diluted with RPMI medium or left untouched. After 24-h incubation at 37 °C the diluted blood samples were lysed, while the undiluted samples were mixed with the preservative RNALater and all samples were shipped frozen to the participating labs. Samples were processed by each lab using microarray (one lab) and QRT-PCR (four labs). Results: We show that although culture conditions affect the total amount of RNA recovered (p < .0001) and its integrity (p < .0001), it does not significantly affect dose estimates (except for the true dose at 1.1 Gy). Most importantly, the different analysis approaches provide comparable mean absolute difference of estimated doses relative to the true doses (p = .9) and number of out of range (>0.5 Gy) measurements (p = .6). Conclusion: This study confirms the robustness of gene expression as a method for biological dosimetry.

Integration of new biological and physical retrospective dosimetry methods into EU emergency response plans – joint RENEB and EURADOS inter-laboratory comparisons

Abstract Purpose: RENEB, ‘Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry and Physical Retrospective Dosimetry,’ is a network for research and emergency response mutual assistance in biodosimetry within the EU. Within this extremely active network, a number of new dosimetry methods have recently been proposed or developed. There is a requirement to test and/or validate these candidate techniques and inter-comparison exercises are a well-established method for such validation. Materials and methods: The authors present details of inter-comparisons of four such new methods: dicentric chromosome analysis including telomere and centromere staining; the gene expression assay carried out in whole blood; Raman spectroscopy on blood lymphocytes, and detection of radiation-induced thermoluminescent signals in glass screens taken from mobile phones. Results: In general the results show good agreement between the laboratories and methods within the expected levels of uncertainty, and thus demonstrate that there is a lot of potential for each of the candidate techniques. Conclusions: Further work is required before the new methods can be included within the suite of reliable dosimetry methods for use by RENEB partners and others in routine and emergency response scenarios.

Chromosome aberrations induced by the Auger electron emitter 125I

DNA-associated Auger electron emitters (AEE) cause cellular damage leading to high-LET type cell survival curves indicating an enhanced relative biological effectiveness. Double strand breaks (DSBs) induced by Iodine-125-deoxyuridine ((125)I-UdR) decays are claimed to be very complex. To elucidate the assumed genotoxic potential of (125)I-UdR, chromatid aberrations were analysed in exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). PBL were stimulated with medium containing phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). After 24h, cultures were labelled with (125)I-UdR for 18h (activity concentration 1-45 kBq) during the S-phase. Following standard cytogenetic procedure, at least 100 metaphases were analysed microscopically for each activity concentration. Cell death was measured by apoptosis assay using flow cytometry. Radiation doses were determined by using point kernel calculations. After 18h labelling with (125)I-UdR the cell cycle distribution is severely disturbed. About 40% of PBL are fully labelled and 20% show a moderate labelling of (125)I-UdR, whereas 40% of cells remain un-labelled. The dose-response relationship fits to a polynomial curve in the low dose range, whereas a linear fit supplies a better estimation in the high dose range. Even the lowest dose of 0.2Gy leads to a 13-fold increase of aberrations compared to the controls. On average every fifth (125)I-decay produces a single chromatid aberration in PBL. Additionally, a dose-dependent increase of cell death is observed. (125)I-UdR has a very strong genotoxic capacity in human PBL, even at 0.2Gy. Efficiently labelled cells displaying a prolonged cell cycle compared to moderately labelled cells and cell death contribute substantially to the desynchronisation of the cell cycle. Our data, showing for the first time, that one (125)I-decay induces ∼ 0.2 chromatid aberrations, are in very good accordance to DSB data, stating that ∼0.26 DSB are induced per decay, indicating that it takes on average 250 decays to induce one chromosome aberration (CA). [Corrected]