Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose The nervous system is vulnerable to radiation damage, and further optimization is required to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy while reducing harm to neurons. Given recent developments in heavy ion therapy, experimental models would be valuable to improve these therapies. Here, we utilized the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ) to evaluate the effects of high-dose radiation on neuron development. Methods and Materials In this study, we used confocal microscopy to assess dendritic growth of the PVD nociceptor following high-dose gamma-irradiation from a Cs-137 source. Results Irradiation during an early larval stage (L2) delayed overall development but also independently impaired dendrite outgrowth in the PVD nociceptive neuron. Irradiation at L4 larval stage did not result in significant alterations in dendrite morphology. Conclusions The nematode C. elegans can serve as a high-throughput model to study the effects of high-dose radiation on dendrite growth. We propose that C. elegans can be useful for studies of experimental radiation therapy modalities and dose rates for translational research.
Source: Advances in Radiation Oncology
Authors: Robert Freitag, Jamie Stern, Joseph Masters, Greta Kowalski, David M. Miller, John G. Eley
Institution: Vanderbilt University
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W4389340827