Important Role of Autophagy in Endothelial Cell Response to Ionizing Radiation

OBJECTIVES: Vasculature damage is an important contributor to the side-effects of radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to provide insights into the radiobiology of the autophagic response of endothelial cells. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to 2 Gy of ionizing radiation (IR) and studied using confocal microscopy and western blot analysis, at 4 and 8 days post-irradiation. The role of autophagy flux in HUVEC radio-sensitivity was also examined. RESULTS: IR-induced accumulation of LC3A+, LC3B+ and p62 cytoplasmic vacuoles, while in double immunostaining with lysosomal markers (LAMP2a and CathepsinD) repression of the autophagolysosomal flux was evident. Autophagy-related proteins (ATF4, HIF1α., HIF2α, Beclin1) were, however, induced excluding an eventual repressive effect of radiation on autophagy initiating protein expression. Exposure of HUVEC to SMER28, an mTOR-independent inducer of autophagy, enhanced proLC3 and LC3A, B-I protein expression and accelerated the autophagic flux. Pre-treatment of HUVEC with SMER28 protected against the blockage of autophagic flux induced by IR and conferred radio-resistance. Suppression of LC3A/LC3B proteins with siRNAs resulted in radio-sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The current data provide a rationale for the development of novel radioprotection policies targeting the autophagic pathway.