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Galactic Cosmic Radiation Induces Persistent Epigenome Alterations Relevant to Human Lung Cancer
E M Kennedy1,2, D R Powell3, Z Li4
1Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Scientific Reports
|May 2, 2018
Summary
Exposure to high-energy space radiation, like iron ions, causes lasting DNA methylation changes in lung cells. These epigenetic marks can distinguish lung tumors from normal tissue, aiding cancer risk assessment for astronauts.
Area of Science:
- Space biology and radiation oncology.
- Epigenetics and cancer research.
Background:
- Deep space travel poses health risks from galactic cosmic radiation (GCR).
- High linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ions in GCR are a particular concern for biological damage.
- Understanding radiation's impact on the epigenome is crucial for astronaut health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation changes induced by high-LET (56Fe, 28Si) and low-LET (X rays) radiation in human bronchial cells.
- To determine if radiation-induced methylation patterns are specific to radiation type and chromatin environment.
- To assess the potential of these methylation changes as biomarkers for lung cancer risk in the context of space radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Exposing human bronchial epithelial cells to 56Fe ions, 28Si ions, and X rays.
- Analyzing genome-wide DNA methylation patterns using high-throughput sequencing.
- Correlating methylation changes with chromatin states (open vs. heterochromatic regions, CpG islands, gene bodies).
- Comparing methylation signatures in radiation-exposed cells with methylation data from human lung tumors and normal tissues.
Main Results:
- All radiation types induced rapid and stable DNA methylation changes at distinct CpG sites.
- 56Fe ions primarily caused hypermethylation in open chromatin (enhancers, promoters).
- 28Si ions induced mixed hyper- and hypomethylation in heterochromatic regions.
- X rays predominantly caused hypomethylation in gene bodies and intergenic regions.
- Methylation sites sensitive to 56Fe ions, but not X rays or 28Si, could differentiate human lung tumors from normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- High-LET radiation leaves a persistent epigenetic imprint on the genome.
- Radiation-induced DNA methylation patterns are specific to the type of radiation and affected chromatin compartments.
- Epigenetic signatures from 56Fe ion exposure are relevant to human lung cancer and may serve as biomarkers for monitoring astronaut health and cancer risk.
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