A model of radiation-induced temporomandibular joint damage in mice

Abstract

Purpose

A small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) equipped with a miniature beam system, an image-guided positioning system, and a dose planning system was used to develop and evaluate a mouse model of radiation-induced temporomandibular damage.

Methods

Left jaw disks of adult male C57BL/6 mice and C3H mice were targeted using the SARRP for image-guided irradiation. The total radiation dose was 75 Gy. Experiment 1 (Scoping study): Mice in the C57BL/6 mouse test and control groups were sacrificed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 weeks after irradiation, whereas mice in the C3H test and control groups were sacrificed at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after irradiation. Experiment 2 (Full –scale validation study): Mice in the C57BL/6 mouse test and control groups were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 6 weeks after irradiation. Histopathological analysis of the temporomandibular skeletal muscle in each group was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining; the temporal mandibular bone was examined through H&E staining.

Results

SARRP delivered the rated dose to the temporomandibular joints of C57BL/6 and C3H mice. C3H and C57BL/6 mice in the test group showed different degrees of osteocytic necrosis and osteoporosis at different time points. H&E staining of skeletal muscle tissue showed slight fibrosis in the C57BL/6 test at 3 and 6 weeks time point.

Conclusion

We established a model of radiation-induced damage in the temporomandibular joint of C57BL/6 mice and demonstrated that the observed physiological and histological changes correspond to radiation damage observed in humans. Furthermore, the SARRP can deliver precise radiation doses.

Keywords:

• C57BL/6
• C3H
• mice
• temporomandibular joint
• SARRP
• precise irradiation
• radioactive injury
• fibrosis
• osteocytic necrosis

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Disclosure statement

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

Notes on contributors

Peng Zhang is the manager of Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation oncology. He is actively engaged in radiobiological research, specifically related to radiation-induced injury in small animals.

Lejing Yao works as an engineer at the Department of Radiation Physics at the Zhejiang Cancer hospital. She is mainly involved in the design and clinical application of radiotherapy regimens.

Guoping Shan is the director of the Department of Radiation Physics at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. He is mainly engaged in the research and clinical application of radiotherapy regimens and quality assurance. From 2013 to 2014, he was the president of the National Radiotherapy Center, Mali, Africa and won the ‘little bee’ National Medal.

Yuanyuan Chen is the Professor of Oncology at the Department of Radiation Oncology of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Dr. Chen is actively involved in the basic research and treatment of CNS tumors and head and neck cancers, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and antiangiogenic therapy. Dr. Chen has a vast experience in managing radiation toxicity as well as providing nutritional support for tumor patients. Dr. Chen is a Member of the Neurological Oncology Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Radiation Oncology Therapy Society of the Chinese Medical Association (Nasopharyngeal Cancer Group), and the Tumor Nutrition Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the conclusions of this article is included within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Project [New Technology Product R & D Project: No. 2019PY002].