Immediate Release of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Mediates Delayed Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Robert M. Tighe, Karissa Heck, Erik Soderblom, Shutang Zhou, Anastasiya Birukova, Kenneth Young, Douglas Rouse, Jessica Vidas, Miglena K. Komforti, Christopher B. Toomey, Frank Cuttitta, Mary E. Sunday

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Radiation–induced pulmonary fibrosis (RTPF) is a progressive, serious condition in many subjects treated for thoracic malignancies or after accidental nuclear exposure. No biomarker exists for identifying the irradiated subjects most susceptible to pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Previously, we determined that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) was elevated within days after birth in newborns exposed to hyperoxia who later developed chronic lung disease. The goal of the current study was to test whether radiation (RT) exposure triggers GRP release in mice and whether this contributes to RTPF in vivo. We determined urine GRP levels and lung GRP immunostaining in mice 0 to 24 after post-thoracic RT (15 Gy). Urine GRP levels were significantly elevated between 24 hours post-RT; GRP-blocking monoclonal antibody 2A11, given minutes post-RT, abrogated urine GRP levels by 6 to 12 hours and also altered phosphoprotein signaling pathways at 24 hours post-RT. Strong extracellular GRP immunostaining was observed in lung at 6 hours post-RT. Mice given one dose of GRP monoclonal antibody 2A11 24 hours post-RT had significantly reduced myofibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition 15 weeks later, indicating protection against lung fibrosis. Therefore, elevation of urine GRP could be predictive of RTPF development. In addition, transient GRP blockade could mitigate PF in normal lung after therapeutic or accidental RT exposure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1029-1040
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume189
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Immediate Release of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Mediates Delayed Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this