Radiation-induced cell cycle perturbations: a computational tool validated with flow-cytometry data

Cell cycle progression can be studied with computational models that allow to describe and predict its perturbation by agents as ionizing radiation or drugs. Such models can then be integrated in tools for pre-clinical/clinical use, e.g. to optimize kinetically-based administration protocols of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. We present a deterministic compartmental model, specifically reproducing how cells that survive radiation exposure are distributed in the cell cycle as a function of dose and time after exposure. Model compartments represent the four cell-cycle phases, as a function of DNA content and time. A system of differential equations, whose parameters represent transition rates, division rate and DNA synthesis rate, describes the temporal evolution. Initial model inputs are data from unexposed cells in exponential growth. Perturbation is implemented as an alteration of model parameters that allows to best reproduce cell-cycle profiles post-irradiation. The model is validated with dedicated in vitro measurements on human lung fibroblasts (IMR90). Cells were irradiated with 2 and 5 Gy with a Varian 6 MV Clinac at IRCCS Maugeri. Flow cytometry analysis was performed at the RadBioPhys Laboratory (University of Pavia), obtaining cell percentages in each of the four phases in all studied conditions up to 72 h post-irradiation. Cells show early G(2)-phase block (increasing in duration as dose increases) and later G(1)-phase accumulation. For each condition, we identified the best sets of model parameters that lead to a good agreement between model and experimental data, varying transition rates from G(1)- to S- and from G(2)- to M-phase. This work offers a proof-of-concept validation of the new computational tool, opening to its future development and, in perspective, to its integration in a wider framework for clinical use.