A Human Espophageal Epithelial Cell Model for Study of Radiation Induced Cancer and DNA Damage RepairFor cancer risk assessment in astronauts and for countermeasure development, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis and how these mechanisms are influenced by exposure to the types of radiation found in space. We are developing an in vitro model system for the study of radiation-induced initiation and progression of esophageal carcinoma, a type of cancer found to have a significant enhancement in incidence in the survivors of the atomic bomb detonations in Japan. Here we present the results of our preliminary characterization of both normal and hTERT immortalized esophageal epithelial cells grown in 2-dimensional culture. We analyzed DNA repair capacity by measuring the kinetics of formation and loss of - H2AX foci following radiation exposure. Additionally, we analyzed induction of chromosomal aberrations using 3-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Data were generated using both low LET (gamma rays) and high LET ions (1000 MeV/nucleon iron).
Document ID
20080013414
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Huff, Janice L. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Patel, Zarana S. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Hada, Megumi (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Cucinotta, Francis A. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)