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At least 199 records · Page 11

Transcriptomic Analysis of Irradiated Mouse Retina Following Readaptation

Rodent models are used as analogs for studying the effects of spaceflight. NASA GeneLab provides access to relevant omics datasets generated from spaceflight and ground-based experiments allowing for additional retrospective analysis. In this study, we used GeneLab’s GLDS-203, a dataset generated by researchers at Loma Linda University to study the impact of prolonged unloading and/or low-dose radiation on mouse retina. We analyzed transcriptomics data from retina of mice irradiated with gamma-rays for 21 days followed by 7 days, 1 month, or 4 months of readaptation. We obtained raw gene counts from GeneLab and performed differential gene expression analysis after data normalization. For each of the three timepoints, we performed differential expression analysis to compare transcriptional profiles for retina from irradiated vs. non-irradiated (controls) mice, all exposed to gravity. We observed the highest number of differentially expressed genes at 7 days, followed by 1 month and 4 months. Enrichment analysis showed top pathways (adjusted p-value < 0.05) were related to transport along microtubule and photoreceptor cell development in the 7-day readaptation group. Fewer significantly enriched pathways were observed for the 1-month group and included mRNA metabolic processes and neuron differentiation. No significantly enriched pathways were found in the 4-month group. The Gene Ontology biological processes common between the 7 days and 1-month groups include visual perception, synapse organization, and perception of light stimulus. This analysis is part of a larger effort to characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in retinal readaptation following radiation exposure. Future analyses will include other related retina datasets in GeneLab repository to assess whether gene expression patterns are consistent across different study cohorts.

Prachi Kothiyal↗

Multi-Omics Analysis of Mouse Retina Following Low Dose Radiation and/or Hindlimb Unloading

Rodent models have been used as analogs for studying the effects of spaceflight. NASA’s GeneLab provides access to omics datasets generated from spaceflight and ground-based experiments allowing for additional retrospective analysis. We used GeneLab’s GLDS-203, a dataset generated by researchers at Loma Linda University to study the impact of prolonged unloading and/or low-dose radiation on mouse retina. The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of gamma radiation and/or hindlimb unloading on mice retinas through a multi-omics analysis. In the experiment that generated the omics data, mice were irradiated with gamma-ray and/or subjected to hindlimb unloading for 21 days and multi-omics analysis was performed at 7 days, 1 month, or 4 months post exposure. In the current study, for each of the three timepoints, we compared epigenomic profiles for retinas from exposed mice against timepoint-matched controls. We identified a total of 5,271 differentially methylated loci (DML) and 321 differentially methylated regions (DMR; using a sliding window and step size of 500 bp) with methylation difference > 10% and q-value < 0.05 (sliding linear model corrected p-value) across the nine exposure groups. Highest correlation in methylation difference was seen for significant DMLs (q-value < 0.05) across different conditions at same post exposure timepoint (Figure 1).The location of DMLs and DMRs were characterized with respect to CpG islands and shores, putative promoters, gene body, and intergenic regions (Table 1). We analyzed RNA-seq counts and performed gene set enrichment analysis using differential expression results from comparing each exposure group to its timepoint-matched control group. Significant pathways (adjusted p-value <0.05) enriched in all three microgravity-only groups were related to morphogenesis of a branching epithelium, skeletal muscle cell differentiation, and response to fibroblast growth factor. Common processes across all timepoints in the radiation-only groups were retina homeostasis, synaptic vesicle exocytosis-endocytosis, and chemotaxis. In the combination groups, regulation of trans-synaptic signaling, and Rho protein signal transduction were enriched at all three timepoints. Processes related to purine nucleotide metabolism were enriched in all nine exposure groups, with activation at 1 month, and suppression at 7 days and 4 months. A total of 14 genes contained at least one DML and were differentially expressed at adjusted p-value < 0.05, including genes implicated in cataract development (Sipa1l3, Crybb3) and those involved in cytoskeletal organization (Plec, Flnb, Eef1a1). This analysis is part of a larger effort to understand the molecular mechanisms following spaceflight exposures that can help translate effects observed in animal models to human impacts.

Prachi Kothiyal↗

Quantifying radiation quality for space relevant radiation types: Fitting excess risk models to three combined HZE-irradiated mouse datasets

Radiation health risks are predominantly derived from low linear energy transfer (LET) terrestrial exposures; however, space radiation includes exposure to high-LET and high-charge, high-energy (HZE) particles. Accurately quantifying the differences in radiation quality between the space and terrestrial radiation environments is important for assessing and predicting health risks for astronauts. Weil et al. 2009 and 2014 used two different inbred mouse strains to study differences in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumorigenesis after exposures to low- and high- LET radiation[1-2]. More recently, Edmondson et al. 2020 provided valuable new tumor data in outbred mice that were exposed to low- and high-LET radiation[3]. The present study aims to rigorously investigate a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factor by leveraging the HCC tumor data from the three datasets[1-3]. The three experiments were similarly designed, allowing the raw data to be combined into a pooled dataset to estimate excess relative risk (ERR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) models using Bayesian Poisson regression.

Lori J. Chappell↗

Histological and Transcriptomic Analysis of Spaceflight-Induced Ocular Changes in the Mouse Retina

Anatomical changes have been observed in astronauts’ eyes after long duration spaceflight missions. These alterations can lead to visual impairment which in part constitutes the spaceflight-associated neuroocular syndrome (SANS), one of the top risk priorities for deep space missions. The HRP Systems Biology (SysBio) Translation Project will apply systems biology approaches utilizing current human physiological spaceflight data, molecular results from rodents, and future research with a multi-level, multi-system, and multi-species perspective to augment the existing research plan to resolve the SANS risk. Not much is known about SANS at the cellular and molecular level, but studies in mice and rats have recently begun to determine how spaceflight might affect the biology of the eye. Preliminary studies of mice that flew on the Space Shuttle, and more recently the International Space Station (ISS), have shown changes in retinal physiology as assessed by histology and gene expression analysis. The study presented here obtained samples from the CASIS sponsored Rodent Research 8 Experiment delivered to the ISS by SpaceX CRS-16 on 12/08/2018. Female BALB/cAnNTac mice flew on the ISS for 45 days, while ground controls were housed in a standard vivarium or animal enclosure module. Sacrifice and sample acquisition occurred once mice returned to Earth, possibly allowing for readaptation affecting retinal homeostasis. We applied standard transcriptomic (RNAseq) and histological approaches to characterize genes and pathways in the mouse retina affected by spaceflight or age. The differentially expressed gene (DEG) data was analyzed using Galaxy (GeneLab) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Significant DEGs between flight and ground samples were relatively few but biologically meaningful. Pathways identified related to neuronal differentiation, cellular transport/movement, and wound healing. Age effects were detected between the young (10–12 weeks) and old (32 weeks) groups and between the baseline and end of experiment (~46 days). The biological relevance of specific DEGs were confirmed through immunohistochemical evaluation using fixed histological sections of the eye from four flight group mice and four habitat control mice. Staining was performed specific for synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament in the retinal periphery, equator, and peripapillary regions. For synaptophysin staining, the innerplexiform and outerplexiform layers were scored; for GFAP staining, Mueller cells and perivascular astrocytes were scored. Results show flight samples typically had more staining of GFAP and neurofilament while, conversely, the habitat control group had more staining of synaptophysin.

C. Perez↗

Transgenic Mouse Model for Reducing Oxidative Damage in Bone

Exposure to musculoskeletal disuse and radiation result in bone loss; we hypothesized that these catabolic treatments cause excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thereby alter the tight balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts, culminating in bone loss. To test this, we used transgenic mice which over-express the human gene for catalase, targeted to mitochondria (MCAT). Catalase is an anti-oxidant that converts the ROS hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. MCAT mice were shown previously to display reduced mitochondrial oxidative stress and radiosensitivity of the CNS compared to wild type controls (WT). As expected, MCAT mice expressed the transgene in skeletal tissue, and in marrow-derived osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors cultured ex vivo, and also showed greater catalase activity compared to wildtype (WT) mice (3-6 fold). Colony expansion in marrow cells cultured under osteoblastogenic conditions was 2-fold greater in the MCAT mice compared to WT mice, while the extent of mineralization was unaffected. MCAT mice had slightly longer tibiae than WT mice (2%, P less than 0.01), although cortical bone area was slightly lower in MCAT mice than WT mice (10%, p=0.09). To challenge the skeletal system, mice were treated by exposure to combined disuse (2 wk Hindlimb Unloading) and total body irradiation Cs(137) (2 Gy, 0.8 Gy/min), then bone parameters were analyzed by 2-factor ANOVA to detect possible interaction effects. Treatment caused a 2-fold increase (p=0.015) in malondialdehyde levels of bone tissue (ELISA) in WT mice, but had no effect in MCAT mice. These findings indicate that the transgene conferred protection from oxidative damage caused by treatment. Unexpected differences between WT and MCAT mice emerged in skeletal responses to treatment.. In WT mice, treatment did not alter osteoblastogenesis, cortical bone area, moment of inertia, or bone perimeter, whereas in MCAT mice, treatment increased these parameters. Taken together, this typically catabolic treatment (disuse and irradiation) appeared to stimulate cortical expansion in MCAT mice but not WT mice. In conclusion, these results reveal the importance of mitochondrial ROS generation in skeletal remodeling and show that MCAT mice provide a useful animal model for bone studies.

trandgenic↗

A Review and Comparison of Mouse and Rat Responses to Micro Gravity, Hyper Gravity and Simulated Models of Partial Gravity; Species Differences, Gaps in the Available Data, and Consideration of the Advantages and Caveats of Each Model for Spaceflight

Laboratory strains of mice and rat are widely used to study mammalian responses to stimulus, and both have been studied under a variety of gravity conditions, including space flight. We compared results obtained from exposure to spaceflight and microgravity, hyper gravity via centrifugation, earth gravity, and models of simulated partial gravity (hind-limb unloading and partial weight bearing treatments). We examined the reported changes in survival, body mass, circadian rhythm (body temperature and activity levels), behavior, bone, muscle, immune, cardio-vasculature, vestibular, reproduction and neonate survival, microbiome, and the visual system. Not all categories have published data for both species, some have limited data, and there are variations in experiment design that allow for only relative comparisons to be considered. The data reveal species differences in both the level of gravity required to obtain a response, degree of response, and in temporal expression of responses. Examination of the data across the gravity levels allows consideration of the hypothesis that gravitational responses follow a continuum, and organ specific differences are noted. In summary, we present advantages and caveats of each model system as pertains to gravitational biology research and identify gaps in our knowledge of how these mammals respond to gravity.

mouse rat gravity↗

Determination and analysis of sex ratios in heme oxygenase 1 gene targeted mouse embryos

Abstract Heme oxygenase 1 or Hmox1 enzyme is involved in catalyzing the first and rate‐limiting step in heme breakdown reactions. Many studies have reported a partial lethality of Hmox1 knockout mice obtained from heterozygous breeding pairs. Similar results were obtained in our transgenic mice colony and a sex specific bias was observed in the favor of males in the adult mice. Hmox1 independent factors which could have caused this bias were initially analyzed and it was found that those factors were not a reason behind this anomaly. Certain studies involving gene knockout hinted toward a prenatal or neonatal lethality of female knockout mice embryos or pups, respectively. In order to check if this bias was occurring in embryonic stages, that is, either if mutant female embryos were dying or if heterozygous mothers were not carrying embryos to term, we analyzed the sex‐ratios in mid‐ and late‐gestational ages (9.5–13.5 dpc and 14.5–18.5 dpc, respectively). Our results did not indicate any significant difference in the sex ratios in embryonic stages; hence, it was concluded that females are not dying in embryonic stages. It can be speculated that these deaths were probably occurring at neonatal age. More studies are required to confirm that the lack of Hmox1 gene products is the sole reason for this female lethality.

Jain, Sidhant↗

Simple Analysis of Primary and Secondary Bile Salt Hydrolysis in Mouse and Human Gut Microbiome Samples by Using Fluorogenic Substrates

Animals produce bile to maximize absorption of lipophilic nutrients in the gut. The physical properties of bile are largely dictated by amphipathic bile salt molecules, which also act as signaling molecules that bind host receptors and modulate physiological processes. Upon excretion of bile salts into the gut, the gut microbiome can create metabolites that have modified signaling capabilities. The category and magnitude of bile salt metabolism can affect the host either positively or negatively. A key modification is bile salt hydrolysis, which is a prerequisite step for all additional microbial modification. Here, we have synthesized five different fluorogenic bile salts that report on hydrolysis activity using a simple, continuous assay. We profile activity in both murine and human fecal samples. Our data demonstrate that most gut microbiomes have the highest capacity for hydrolysis of host-produced bile salts, but some microbially modified bile salts also display significant turnover.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Dietary Methionine Supplementation Exacerbates Gastrointestinal Toxicity in a Mouse Model of Abdominal Irradiation

Identification of appropriate dietary strategies for prevention of weight and muscle loss in cancer patients is crucial for successful treatment and prolonged patient survival. High-protein oral nutritional supplements decrease mortality and improve indices of nutritional status in cancer patients; however, high-protein diets are often rich in methionine, and experimental evidence indicates that a methionine-supplemented diet (MSD) exacerbates gastrointestinal toxicity after total body irradiation. Here, we sought to investigate whether MSD can exacerbate gastrointestinal toxicity after local abdominal irradiation, an exposure regimen more relevant to clinical settings.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Effect of Interleukin-7 on Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia and Its Antitumor Effects in a Mouse Model

Local ionizing radiation (IR) can lead to systemic lymphocyte depletion, which is associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with cancer. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) plays an important role in lymphocyte homeostasis; however, its role in alleviating radiation-induced lymphopenia remains unclear. Hence, we established a radiation-induced lymphopenia animal model and evaluated the effect of exogenous IL-7 administration.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

A Mouse Model for Microbeam Radiation Therapy of the Lung

Radiation therapy is an important treatment component for patients with lung cancer. However, the survival time gained with clinical radiation therapy techniques is relatively short. Data from preclinical experiments suggest that synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy could be much better suited to control malignant brain tumors than current clinical concepts of radiation therapy. Even at peak doses of several hundred gray, the extent of functional deficits is low.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Irradiation at Ultra-High (FLASH) Dose Rates Reduces Acute Normal Tissue Toxicity in the Mouse Gastrointestinal System

Preclinical studies using ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation have demonstrated reduced normal tissue toxicity compared with conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation, although this finding is not universal. We investigated the effect of temporal pulse structure and average dose rate of FLASH compared with CONV irradiation on acute intestinal toxicity.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗