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Particle Radiation Side-Effects: Intestinal Microbiota Composition Shapes Interferon-γ-Induced Osteo-Immunogenicity
Irene Maier1, Paul M Ruegger2, Julia Deutschmann3
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Radiation Research
|February 7, 2022
Summary
Restricted gut microbiota (RM) in mice mitigates radiation-induced bone loss by reducing inflammation and altering bacterial composition. This study highlights the gut microbiome
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Bone Biology and Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Gut microbiota influences bone health, with potential roles in mitigating or exacerbating radiation-induced bone loss.
- Previous research indicated that restricted microbiota (RM) reduced inflammatory markers like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) compared to conventional microbiota (CM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gut microbiota composition on radiation-induced bone loss.
- To explore the relationship between specific bacterial phylotypes and bone structural integrity following particle radiation exposure.
- To assess the role of IL-17 in modulating the gut microbiota response to irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of conventional microbiota (CM) and restricted microbiota (RM) mice exposed to 1.5 Gy 28Si ions.
- Analysis of inflammatory markers (TNF, IL-17, interferon-γ) in bone marrow and blood.
- Fecal bacterial composition analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing and correlation with bone parameters (trabecular number, thickness, separation, cortical thickness).
Main Results:
- RM mice exhibited reduced inflammatory markers and better bone structure (higher trabecular numbers, reduced cortical thickness loss) post-irradiation compared to CM mice.
- IL-17 blockage altered bacterial phylotypes, indicating its role in microbiota modulation during irradiation.
- Specific bacterial taxa, including Muribaculum intestinale, Bacteroides massiliensis, and Prevotella denticola, were correlated with improved bone parameters in RM mice.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota composition significantly impacts bone response to particle radiation, with RM offering protective effects.
- Targeting gut microbiota and IL-17 pathways presents a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate radiation-induced bone loss.
- Further translational research is warranted to explore dynamic microbiota changes in radiotherapy patients.
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