scholarly journals Elevated H2AX Phosphorylation Observed with kINPen Plasma Treatment Is Not Caused by ROS-Mediated DNA Damage but Is the Consequence of Apoptosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander Bekeschus ◽  
Clarissa S. Schütz ◽  
Felix Nießner ◽  
Kristian Wende ◽  
Klaus-Dieter Weltmann ◽  
...  

Phosphorylated histone 2AX (γH2AX) is a long-standing marker for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) from ionizing radiation in the field of radiobiology. This led to the perception of γH2AX being a general marker of direct DNA damage with the treatment of other agents such as low-dose exogenous ROS that unlikely act on cellular DNA directly. Cold physical plasma confers biomedical effects majorly via release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS). In vitro, increase of γH2AX has often been observed with plasma treatment, leading to the conclusion that DNA damage is a direct consequence of plasma exposure. However, increase in γH2AX also occurs during apoptosis, which is often observed with plasma treatment as well. Moreover, it must be questioned if plasma-derived ROS can reach into the nucleus and still be reactive enough to damage DNA directly. We investigated γH2AX induction in a lymphocyte cell line upon ROS exposure (plasma, hydrogen peroxide, or hypochlorous acid) or UV-B light. Cytotoxicity and γH2AX induction was abrogated by the use of antioxidants with all types of ROS treatment but not UV radiation. H2AX phosphorylation levels were overall independent of analyzing either all nucleated cells or segmenting γH2AX phosphorylation for each cell cycle phase. SB202190 (p38-MAPK inhibitor) and Z-VAD-FMK (pan-caspase inhibitor) significantly inhibited γH2AX induction upon ROS but not UV treatment. Finally, and despite γH2AX induction, UV but not plasma treatment led to significantly increased micronucleus formation, which is a functional read-out of genotoxic DNA DSBs. We conclude that plasma-mediated and low-ROS γH2AX induction depends on caspase activation and hence is not the cause but consequence of apoptosis induction. Moreover, we could not identify lasting mutagenic effects with plasma treatment despite phosphorylation of H2AX.

Author(s):  
Xinrui Zhang ◽  
Mariana Bobeica ◽  
Michael Unger ◽  
Anastasia Bednarz ◽  
Bjoern Gerold ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU/FUS) has expanded as a noninvasive quantifiable option for hyperthermia (HT). HT in a temperature range of 40–47 °C (thermal dose CEM43 ≥ 25) could work as a sensitizer to radiation therapy (RT). Here, we attempted to understand the tumor radiosensitization effect at the cellular level after a combination treatment of FUS+RT. Methods An in vitro FUS system was developed to induce HT at frequencies of 1.147 and 1.467 MHz. Human head and neck cancer (FaDU), glioblastoma (T98G), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells were exposed to FUS in ultrasound-penetrable 96-well plates followed by single-dose X‑ray irradiation (10 Gy). Radiosensitizing effects of FUS were investigated by cell metabolic activity (WST‑1 assay), apoptosis (annexin V assay, sub-G1 assay), cell cycle phases (propidium iodide staining), and DNA double-strand breaks (γH2A.X assay). Results The FUS intensities of 213 (1.147 MHz) and 225 W/cm2 (1.467 MHz) induced HT for 30 min at mean temperatures of 45.20 ± 2.29 °C (CEM43 = 436 ± 88) and 45.59 ± 1.65 °C (CEM43 = 447 ± 79), respectively. FUS improves the effect of RT significantly by reducing metabolic activity in T98G cells 48 h (RT: 96.47 ± 8.29%; FUS+RT: 79.38 ± 14.93%; p = 0.012) and in PC-3 cells 72 h (54.20 ± 10.85%; 41.01 ± 11.17%; p = 0.016) after therapy, but not in FaDu cells. Mechanistically, FUS+RT leads to increased apoptosis and enhancement of DNA double-strand breaks compared to RT alone in T98G and PC-3 cells. Conclusion Our in vitro findings demonstrate that FUS has good potential to sensitize glioblastoma and prostate cancer cells to RT by mainly enhancing DNA damage.


Oncotarget ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (33) ◽  
pp. 34979-34991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuezhen Xue ◽  
Shen Yon Toh ◽  
Pingping He ◽  
Thimothy Lim ◽  
Diana Lim ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiza Da Cunha Stankevicins ◽  
Marta Urbanska ◽  
Daniel AD. Flormann ◽  
Emmanuel Terriac ◽  
Zahra Mostajeran ◽  
...  

AbstractDendritic cells use amoeboid migration through constricted passages to reach the lymph nodes, and this homing function is crucial for immune responses. Amoeboid migration requires mechanical resilience, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms for this type of migration remain unknown. Because vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) and microfilaments regulate adhesion-dependent migration in a bidirectional manner, we analyzed if they exert a similar control on amoeboid migration. Vimentin was required for cellular resilience, via a joint interaction between vimentin IFs and F-actin. Reduced actin mobility in the cell cortex of vimentin-reduced cells indicated that vimentin promotes Factin subunit exchange and dynamics. These mechano-dynamic alterations in vimentin-deficient dendritic cells impaired amoeboid migration in confined environments in vitro and blocked lymph node homing in mouse experiments in vivo. Correct nuclear positioning is important in confined amoeboid migration both to minimize resistance and to avoid DNA damage. Vimentin-deficiency also led to DNA double strand breaks in the compressed dendritic cells, pointing to a role of vimentin in nuclear positioning. Together, these observations show that vimentin IF-microfilament interactions provide both the specific mechano-dynamics required for dendritic cell migration and the protection the genome needs in compressed spaces.Summary statementVimentin — in joint action with actin — mediates the mechanical stiffness of cells required for amoeboid cell migration through confined spaces and protects the nucleus from DNA damage.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (114) ◽  
pp. 20150679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Murray ◽  
Bart Cornelissen ◽  
Katherine A. Vallis ◽  
S. Jon Chapman

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed as a result of genotoxic insults, such as exogenous ionizing radiation, and are among the most serious types of DNA damage. One of the earliest molecular responses following DSB formation is the phosphorylation of the histone H2AX, giving rise to γ H2AX. Many copies of γ H2AX are generated at DSBs and can be detected in vitro as foci using well-established immuno-histochemical methods. It has previously been shown that anti- γ H2AX antibodies, modified by the addition of the cell-penetrating peptide TAT and a fluorescent or radionuclide label, can be used to visualize and quantify DSBs in vivo . Moreover, when labelled with a high amount of the short-range, Auger electron-emitting radioisotope, 111 In, the amount of DNA damage within a cell can be increased, leading to cell death. In this report, we develop a mathematical model that describes how molecular processes at individual sites of DNA damage give rise to quantifiable foci. Equations that describe stochastic mean behaviours at individual DSB sites are derived and parametrized using population-scale, time-series measurements from two different cancer cell lines. The model is used to examine two case studies in which the introduction of an antibody (anti- γ H2AX-TAT) that targets a key component in the DSB repair pathway influences system behaviour. We investigate: (i) how the interaction between anti- γ H2AX-TAT and γ H2AX effects the kinetics of H2AX phosphorylation and DSB repair and (ii) model behaviour when the anti- γ H2AX antibody is labelled with Auger electron-emitting 111 In and can thus instigate additional DNA damage. This work supports the conclusion that DSB kinetics are largely unaffected by the introduction of the anti- γ H2AX antibody, a result that has been validated experimentally, and hence the hypothesis that the use of anti- γ H2AX antibody to quantify DSBs does not violate the image tracer principle. Moreover, it provides a novel model of DNA damage accumulation in the presence of Auger electron-emitting 111 In that is supported qualitatively by the available experimental data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqiao Yue ◽  
Chenjun Bai ◽  
Dafei Xie ◽  
Teng Ma ◽  
Ping-Kun Zhou

DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase related kinase family, which can phosphorylate more than 700 substrates. As the core enzyme, DNA-PKcs forms the active DNA-PK holoenzyme with the Ku80/Ku70 heterodimer to play crucial roles in cellular DNA damage response (DDR). Once DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) occur in the cells, DNA-PKcs is promptly recruited into damage sites and activated. DNA-PKcs is auto-phosphorylated and phosphorylated by Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated at multiple sites, and phosphorylates other targets, participating in a series of DDR and repair processes, which determine the cells’ fates: DSBs NHEJ repair and pathway choice, replication stress response, cell cycle checkpoints, telomeres length maintenance, senescence, autophagy, etc. Due to the special and multi-faceted roles of DNA-PKcs in the cellular responses to DNA damage, it is important to precisely regulate the formation and dynamic of its functional complex and activities for guarding genomic stability. On the other hand, targeting DNA-PKcs has been considered as a promising strategy of exploring novel radiosensitizers and killing agents of cancer cells. Combining DNA-PKcs inhibitors with radiotherapy can effectively enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy, offering more possibilities for cancer therapy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400900
Author(s):  
Hyung-In Moon ◽  
Min Ho Jeong ◽  
Wol Soon Jo

Radiotherapy is an important form of treatment for a wide range of cancers, but it can damage DNA and cause adverse effects. We investigated if the diplacone analogs of P. tomentosa were radio-protective in a human lymphoblastoid cell line (AHH-1). Four geranylated flavonoids, diplacone, 3′- O-methyl-5′-hydroxydiplacone, 3′- O-methyl-5′- O-methyldiplacone and 3′- O-methyldiplacol, were tested for their antioxidant and radio-protective effects. Diplacone analogs effectively scavenged free radicals and inhibited radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in vitro. They significantly decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and cellular DNA damage in 2 Gy-irradiated AHH-1 cells. Glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity in irradiated AHH-1 cells increased significantly after treatment with these analogs. The enhanced biological anti-oxidant activity and radioprotective activity of diplacone analogs maintained the survival of irradiated AHH-1 cells in a clonogenic assay. These data suggest that diplacone analogs may protect healthy tissue surrounding tumor cells during radiotherapy to ensure better control of radiotherapy and allow higher doses of radiotherapy to be employed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haohan Zhuang ◽  
Chaoqun Yao ◽  
Xianfeng Zhao ◽  
Xueqiu Chen ◽  
Yimin Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite of all warm-blooded animals around the globe. Once infecting a cell, it manipulates the host’s DNA damage response that is yet to be elucidated. The objectives of the present study were three-fold: (i) to assess DNA damages in T. gondii-infected cells in vitro; (ii) to ascertain causes of DNA damage in T. gondii-infected cells; and (iii) to investigate activation of DNA damage responses during T. gondii infection. Methods HeLa, Vero and HEK293 cells were infected with T. gondii at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10:1. Infected cells were analyzed for a biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) γH2AX at 10 h, 20 h or 30 h post-infection using both western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), and ROS-induced DNA damage was inhibited by a ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Lastly, DNA damage responses were evaluated by detecting the active form of ataxia telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2 (ATM/CHK2) by western blot. Results γH2AX levels in the infected HeLa cells were significantly increased over time during T. gondii infection compared to uninfected cells. NAC treatment greatly reduced ROS and concomitantly diminished γH2AX in host cells. The phosphorylated ATM/CHK2 were elevated in T. gondii-infected cells. Conclusions Toxoplasma gondii infection triggered DNA DSBs with ROS as a major player in host cells in vitro. It also activated DNA damage response pathway ATM/CHK2. Toxoplasma gondii manages to keep a balance between survival and apoptosis of its host cells for the benefit of its own survival.


2009 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy E. Messick ◽  
Roger A. Greenberg

The intimate relationship between DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and cancer susceptibility has sparked profound interest in how transactions on DNA and chromatin surrounding DNA damage influence genome integrity. Recent evidence implicates a substantial commitment of the cellular DNA damage response machinery to the synthesis, recognition, and hydrolysis of ubiquitin chains at DNA damage sites. In this review, we propose that, in order to accommodate parallel processes involved in DSB repair and checkpoint signaling, DSB-associated ubiquitin structures must be nonuniform, using different linkages for distinct functional outputs. We highlight recent advances in the study of nondegradative ubiquitin signaling at DSBs, and discuss how recognition of different ubiquitin structures may influence DNA damage responses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Hamis ◽  
James Yates ◽  
Mark A. J. Chaplain ◽  
Gibin G. Powathil

AbstractWe combine a systems pharmacology approach with an agent-based modelling approach to simulate LoVo cells subjected to AZD6738, an ATR (ataxia–telangiectasia-mutated and rad3-related kinase) inhibiting anti-cancer drug that can hinder tumour proliferation by targeting cellular DNA damage responses. The agent-based model used in this study is governed by a set of empirically observable rules. By adjusting only the rules when moving between monolayer and multi-cellular tumour spheroid simulations, whilst keeping the fundamental mathematical model and parameters intact, the agent-based model is first parameterised by monolayer in vitro data and is thereafter used to simulate treatment responses in in vitro tumour spheroids subjected to dynamic drug delivery. Spheroid simulations are subsequently compared to in vivo data from xenografts in mice. The spheroid simulations are able to capture the dynamics of in vivo tumour growth and regression for approximately 8 days post-tumour injection. Translating quantitative information between in vitro and in vivo research remains a scientifically and financially challenging step in preclinical drug development processes. However, well-developed in silico tools can be used to facilitate this in vitro to in vivo translation, and in this article, we exemplify how data-driven, agent-based models can be used to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo research. We further highlight how agent-based models, that are currently underutilised in pharmaceutical contexts, can be used in preclinical drug development.


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