Combined ion beam irradiation platform and 3D fluorescence microscope for cellular cancer research.

in Biomedical optics express by Andrew D Harken, Naresh T Deoli, Citlali Perez Campos, Brian Ponnaiya, Guy Garty, Grace S Lee, Malte J Casper, Shikhar Dhingra, Wenze Li, Gary W Johnson, Sally A Amundson, Peter W Grabham, Elizabeth M C Hillman, David J Brenner

TLDR

  • This study used a special microscope to watch how cells in a 3D culture changed after being hit with radiation. The results showed that the radiation caused changes in the cells' movement and a signaling pathway inside the cells. This information could help researchers develop new radiation therapies.

Abstract

To improve particle radiotherapy, we need a better understanding of the biology of radiation effects, particularly in heavy ion radiation therapy, where global responses are observed despite energy deposition in only a subset of cells. Here, we integrated a high-speed swept confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscope into a focused ion beam irradiation platform to allow real-time 3D structural and functional imaging of living biological samples during and after irradiation. We demonstrate dynamic imaging of the acute effects of irradiation on 3D cultures of U87 human glioblastoma cells, revealing characteristic changes in cellular movement and intracellular calcium signaling following ionizing irradiation.

Overview

  • The study aims to improve particle radiotherapy by understanding the biology of radiation effects, specifically in heavy ion radiation therapy. The study uses a high-speed swept confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscope integrated into a focused ion beam irradiation platform for real-time 3D structural and functional imaging of living biological samples during and after irradiation. The primary objective is to demonstrate dynamic imaging of the acute effects of irradiation on 3D cultures of U87 human glioblastoma cells, revealing characteristic changes in cellular movement and intracellular calcium signaling following ionizing irradiation.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compares the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions, specifically the acute effects of ionizing irradiation on 3D cultures of U87 human glioblastoma cells. The results show characteristic changes in cellular movement and intracellular calcium signaling following ionizing irradiation. These findings suggest that ionizing irradiation can cause significant changes in cellular behavior and signaling pathways, which could have implications for the development of new radiation therapies.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings have significant implications for the field of research and clinical practice, as they provide insights into the biology of radiation effects in heavy ion radiation therapy. The limitations of the study include the need for further validation of the results in larger and more complex biological systems. Future research directions could include the use of the SCAPE microscope to study the long-term effects of ionizing irradiation on living biological samples, as well as the development of new radiation therapies based on the insights gained from this study.
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