Project description:The detonation of an improvised nuclear device would produce prompt radiation consisting of both photons (gamma-rays) and neutrons. While much effort in recent years has gone into the development of radiation biodosimetry methods suitable for mass triage, the possible effect of neutrons on the endpoints studied has remained largely uninvestigated. We have used a novel neutron irradiator with an energy spectrum based on that 1-1.5 km from the epicenter of the Hiroshima blast to begin examining the effect of neutrons on global gene expression, and the impact this may have on the development of gene expression signatures for radiation biodosimetry. We have exposed peripheral blood from healthy human donors to 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, or 1 Gy of neutrons ex vivo using our neutron irradiator, and compared the transcriptomic response 24 h later to that resulting from exposure to 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 Gy of photons (x-rays).
Project description:After defining a gene expression signature that predicted radiation exposure dose with high accuracy in human peripheral white blood cells irradiated ex vivo, we now demonstrate the predictive power of gene expression signatures in blood from patients undergoing total body irradiation. Using whole genome microarray analysis, we have identified genes that respond to radiation exposure in cancer patients in vivo. A 3-nearest neighbor classifier built from these genes correctly predicted samples as exposed to 0, 1.25 or 3.75 Gy with 94% accuracy even when samples from healthy donor controls were included. The same samples were classified with 98% accuracy using a signature previously defined from ex vivo irradiation data. The samples could also be classified as exposed or not exposed with 100% accuracy using multiple methods. The demonstration that ex vivo irradiation is an appropriate model that can provide meaningful prediction of in vivo exposure, and that the signatures are robust across diverse disease states, is an important advance in the application of gene expression for biodosimetry. Translation of these signatures to a fully automated “lab-on-a-chip” device will enable high-throughput screening for large-scale radiological emergencies, as well as making such tests practical for clinical uses. Radiation induced gene expression was measured in vivo in TBI patients at 4 hours after 1.25Gy exposure or at 24 hours after 3.75Gy exposure with three 1.25Gy split doses (approximately 4 hours apart). A total of 18 TBI patients, diagnosed with a variety of cancers were used in this study. Blood from 14 healthy control individuals was also used for comparison.
Project description:Understanding the possible impact of potential confounding factors is necessary for any approach to radiation biodosimetry. Potential confounding factors have not been fully addressed for gene expression-based biodosimetry approaches, such as we are developing. To begin addressing this need, we have used an ex vivo irradiated peripheral blood cell model to investigate the potential effect of smoking on the global radiation gene expression response, and looked for genes that respond to radiation differently in smokers and non-smokers, and also in males and females. The results indicate that only a small number of genes may be significantly confounded by either factor, supporting the idea of developing peripheral blood gene expression strategies for radiation biodosimetry.
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
Project description:After defining a gene expression signature that predicted radiation exposure dose with high accuracy in human peripheral white blood cells irradiated ex vivo, we now demonstrate the predictive power of gene expression signatures in blood from patients undergoing total body irradiation. Using whole genome microarray analysis, we have identified genes that respond to radiation exposure in cancer patients in vivo. A 3-nearest neighbor classifier built from these genes correctly predicted samples as exposed to 0, 1.25 or 3.75 Gy with 94% accuracy even when samples from healthy donor controls were included. The same samples were classified with 98% accuracy using a signature previously defined from ex vivo irradiation data. The samples could also be classified as exposed or not exposed with 100% accuracy using multiple methods. The demonstration that ex vivo irradiation is an appropriate model that can provide meaningful prediction of in vivo exposure, and that the signatures are robust across diverse disease states, is an important advance in the application of gene expression for biodosimetry. Translation of these signatures to a fully automated “lab-on-a-chip” device will enable high-throughput screening for large-scale radiological emergencies, as well as making such tests practical for clinical uses.
Project description:Gottingen minipigs mirror the physiological radiation response observed in humans and hence make an ideal candidate model for studying radiation biodosimetry for both limited-sized and mass casualty incidents. We examined the whole blood gene expression profiles at day 1, 3 and 7 after total-body irradiation with 1.7, 1.9, 2.1 and 2.3 Gy doses of gamma-rays. Blood taken one day prior to radiation served as control. Six animals per dose group were used The minipigs were monitored for up to 45 days or time to euthanasia necessitated by radiation effects. Survival correlative signatures were identified from the data.