Dendro[C(60)]fullerene DF-1 provides radioprotection to radiosensitive mammalian cells.
In this study, the ability of the C(60) fullerene derivative DF-1 to protect radiosensitive cells from the effects of high doses of gamma irradiation was examined. Earlier reports of DF-1's lack of toxicity in these cells were confirmed, and DF-1 was also observed to protect both human lymphocytes and rat intestinal crypt cells against radiation-induced cell death. We determined that DF-1 protected both cell types against radiation-induced DNA damage, as measured by inhibition of micronucleus formation. DF-1 also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species in the crypt cells, a unique capability of fullerenes because of their enhanced reactivity toward electron-rich species. The ability of DF-1 to protect against the cytotoxic effects of radiation was comparable to that of amifostine, another ROS-scavenging radioprotector. Interestingly, localization of fluorescently labeled DF-1 in fibroblast was observed throughout the cell. Taken together, these results suggest that DF-1 provides powerful protection against several deleterious cellular consequences of irradiation in mammalian systems including oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death.
Theriot
Corey A
CA
NASA-Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
Casey
Rachael C
RC
Moore
Valerie C
VC
Mitchell
Linsey
L
Reynolds
Julia O
JO
Burgoyne
Madeline
M
Partha
Ranga
R
Huff
Janice L
JL
Conyers
Jodie L
JL
Jeevarajan
Antony
A
Wu
Honglu
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001692:Biological Transport; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D004249:DNA Damage; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D050091:Dendrimers; D037741:Fullerenes; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C069837:fullerene C60