Development of DNA Damage Response Signaling Biomarkers using Automated, Quantitative Image Analysis

In this study, both AQUA and Tissue Studio algorithms were used to quantify the DDR in radiation-damaged skin fibroblasts, melanoma cell lines, moles, and primary and metastatic melanomas. Digital image analysis results for three markers of DDR (H2AX, P-ATM, P-Chk2) correlated with immunoblot data for irradiated fibroblasts, whereas only H2AX and P-Chk2 correlated with immunoblot data in melanoma cell lines. Melanoma cell lines displayed substantial variation in H2AX and P-Chk2 expression, and P-Chk2 expression was significantly correlated with radioresistance. Moles, primary melanomas, and melanoma metastases in brain, lung and liver displayed substantial variation in H2AX expression, similar to that observed in melanoma cell lines. Automated digital analysis of immunofluorescent images stained for DDR biomarkers may be useful for predicting tumor response to radiation and chemotherapy.

Source: Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry - February 25, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Nikolaishvilli-Feinberg, N., Cohen, S. M., Midkiff, B., Zhou, Y., Olorvida, M., Ibrahim, J. G., Omolo, B., Shields, J. M., Thomas, N. E., Groben, P. A., Kaufmann, W. K., Miller, C. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research