Cx43 channels and signaling via IP3/Ca2+, ATP, and ROS/NO propagate radiation-induced DNA damage to non-irradiated brain microvascular endothelial cells

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Mar 18;11(3):194. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2392-5.

Abstract

Radiotherapeutic treatment consists of targeted application of radiation beams to a tumor but exposure of surrounding healthy tissue is inevitable. In the brain, ionizing radiation induces breakdown of the blood-brain barrier by effects on brain microvascular endothelial cells. Damage from directly irradiated cells can be transferred to surrounding non-exposed bystander cells, known as the radiation-induced bystander effect. We investigated involvement of connexin channels and paracrine signaling in radiation-induced bystander DNA damage in brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to focused X-rays. Irradiation caused DNA damage in the directly exposed area, which propagated over several millimeters in the bystander area. DNA damage was significantly reduced by the connexin channel-targeting peptide Gap26 and the Cx43 hemichannel blocker TAT-Gap19. ATP release, dye uptake, and patch clamp experiments showed that hemichannels opened within 5 min post irradiation in both irradiated and bystander areas. Bystander signaling involved cellular Ca2+ dynamics and IP3, ATP, ROS, and NO signaling, with Ca2+, IP3, and ROS as crucial propagators of DNA damage. We conclude that bystander effects are communicated by a concerted cascade involving connexin channels, and IP3/Ca2+, ATP, ROS, and NO as major contributors of regenerative signal expansion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • DNA Damage*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / radiation effects
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Gja1 protein, rat
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Calcium