Nuclear factor kappaB inhibitors alleviate and the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 exacerbates radiation toxicity in zebrafish embryos

Inflammatory changes are a major component of the normal tissue response to ionizing radiation (IR) and increased NF-κB activity is an important mediator of inflammatory responses. Here, we used zebrafish embryos to assess the capacity of two different classes of pharmacological agents known to target NF-κB to modify radiation toxicity in the vertebrate organism. These were proteasome inhibitors including Lactacystin, MG132 and PS-341 (Bortezomib/VELCADE) and direct inhibitors of NF-κB activity, including ethyl pyruvate (EP) and the synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-TFEA (RTA401) among others. The proteasome inhibitors either did not significantly affect radiation sensitivity of zebrafish embryos (MG132, Lactacystin) or rendered zebrafish embryos more sensitive to lethal effects of IR (PS-341). Radiosensitization by PS-341 was reduced in fish with impaired p53 expression or function but not associated with enhanced expression of select p53 target genes. In contrast, the direct NF-κB inhibitors EP and CDDO-TFEA significantly improved overall survival of lethally irradiated zebrafish embryos. In addition, direct NF-κB inhibition reduced radiation-induced apoptosis in the central nervous system, abrogated aberrations in body axis development, restored metabolization and secretion of a reporter lipid through the gastrointestinal system and improved renal clearance compromised by radiation. In contrast to Amifostine, EP and CDDO-TFEA not only protected against but also mitigated radiation toxicity when given 1–2 h post-exposure. Finally, four additional IKK inhibitors with distinct mechanisms of action similarly improved overall survival of lethally irradiated zebrafish embryos. In conclusion, inhibitors of canonical pathways to NF-κB activation may be useful in alleviating radiation toxicity in patients.