Interagency approaches to animal models for acute radiation exposure

Abstract

Ionizing radiation can cause devastating injuries including hemorrhage, immune suppression, increased susceptibility to infection, and death. Medical countermeasures (MCMs) that address and mitigate radiation-induced injuries are the most important tools for countering the consequences of radiation exposure. Likewise, in matters of public health security, the development and advancement of radiological MCMs are fundamental for establishing an effective response to radiological and nuclear threats. United States Government agencies such as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have dedicated significant efforts to advance the development of MCMs to treat radiation injury and facilitate their introduction into the public sphere. Due to the severe nature of radiation injuries, clinical trials are unethical. Therefore, nonclinical models that accurately replicate clinical manifestations of ionizing radiation injury observed in humans are essential to MCM advancement. The most frequently used nonclinical models of radiation injury are rodents and non-human primates (NHPs). These species reproduce many aspects of human disease caused by ionizing radiation and have been pivotal for the development and licensure of radiological MCMs. Despite these successes, model drawbacks have prompted the exploration and development of additional nonclinical models. Minipigs and rabbits show promise as acceptable models of radiation injury and demonstrate the potential to contribute significantly to MCM advancement. This collection of research showcases the capabilities of minipigs and rabbits in mirroring clinically relevant aspects of radiation-induced disease and documents the potential value these models may hold for radiological and nuclear MCM research. Together, these government-funded studies represent advances in radiological MCM development that can facilitate the emergence of cutting-edge technologies.

Keywords:

• Radiation
• MCM
• Countermeasure
• Nonclinical
• ARS

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kasandra S. Hunter

Kasandra S. Hunter, PhD, is an ORISE Fellow in the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures branch of the CBRN Countermeasures Division for BARDA under the Office of the ASPR.

Lisa S. Carnell

Lisa S. Carnell, PhD, is the Program Scientist for Translational Research in the Biological and Physical Sciences Division at NASA Headquarters.

Andrea L. DiCarlo

Andrea L. DiCarlo, PhD, is the Director of the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program for the DAIT, NIAID, NIH.

Corey M. Hoffman

Corey M. Hoffman, PhD, is a Biologist in the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures branch of the CBRN Countermeasures Division for BARDA under the Office of the ASPR.

Shannon G. Loelius

Shannon G. Loelius, PhD, is a Biologist in the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures branch of the CBRN Countermeasures Division for BARDA under the Office of the ASPR.

Mary Homer

Mary Homer, PhD, is the Branch Chief for the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures branch of the CBRN Countermeasures Division for BARDA under the Office of the ASPR.