Proton FLASH Exposure Preserves Gut Commensal Microbiomes and Spares Intestinal Stem Cells - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #Intestinal Stem Cells
- #Gut Microbiome
- #Proton FLASH Radiotherapy
- Proton FLASH radiotherapy spares normal tissues while maintaining anti-tumor efficacy, with specific benefits for intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and the gut microbiome.
- In mouse models, Proton FLASH exposure improved survival and reduced crypt-villus damage compared to conventional dose rate proton irradiation.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that Proton FLASH spares Lgr5+ crypt-based columnar cells and a revival stem cell population by modulating oxidative stress and cell cycle progression.
- Proton FLASH modulates gut microbiota composition without reducing overall species richness, increasing protective bacteria like Alistipes sp. and Akkermensia sp.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation from Proton FLASH-irradiated mice reduced lethality and protected crypt-villus morphology in recipients exposed to conventional proton irradiation.
- The study highlights the microbiome's crucial role in Proton FLASH-mediated sparing of the mucosal epithelium in radiation-induced intestinal injury.