Establishing the Japan-Store house of animal radiobiology experiments (J-SHARE), a large-scale necropsy and histopathology archive providing international access to important radiobiology data

Abstract

Projects evaluating the effects of radiation, within the National Institutes of Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), have focused on risk analyses for life shortening and cancer prevalence using laboratory animals. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in radiation-induced tumors have been also analyzed, with the aim of better understanding mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis. As well as the economic and practical limitations of repeating such large-scale experiments, ethical considerations make it vital that we store and share the pathological data and samples of the animal experiments for future use. We are now constructing such an archive called the Japan-Storehouse of Animal Radiobiology Experiments (J-SHARE).Methods: J-SHARE records include information such as detailed experimental protocols, necropsy records and photographs of organs at necropsy. For each animal organs and tumor tissues are dissected, and parts are stored as frozen samples at -80 ˚C. Samples fixed with formalin are also embedded in paraffin blocks for histopathological analyses.Digital copies of stained tissues are being systematically saved using a virtual slide system linked to original records by barcodes. Embedded and frozen tissues are available for molecular analysis. Conclusion:Similar archive systems for radiation biology have been also under construction in the USA and Europe,

Interstitial chromosomal deletion of the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 locus is a signature for radiation‐associated renal tumors in Eker rats

“…The multiplicity of atypical hyperplasia and renal tumors was significantly increased in the irradiated groups compared with the nonirradiated control group (Table 1). Consistent with our previous study, 35,36 this result indicates that the actively growing kidney during the perinatal period is susceptible to radiation-induced renal carcinogenesis. However, in our previous observations of nonirradiated rats at 27 weeks of age, female rats were more predisposed to renal preneoplastic lesions than were males, whereas no difference in the multiplicity of neoplastic lesions was observed between male and female rats.…”

“…Consistent with our previous study, this result indicates that the actively growing kidney during the perinatal period is susceptible to radiation‐induced renal carcinogenesis. However, in our previous observations of nonirradiated rats at 27 weeks of age, female rats were more predisposed to renal preneoplastic lesions than were males, whereas no difference in the multiplicity of neoplastic lesions was observed between male and female rats . Consistent with this finding, estrogen has been shown to promote the development of preneoplastic lesions in kidneys of female Eker rats and to inhibit the progression of human renal carcinoma cells through activation of estrogen receptor β .…”

“…However, in our previous observations of nonirradiated rats at 27 weeks of age, female rats were more predisposed to renal preneoplastic lesions than were males, whereas no difference in the multiplicity of neoplastic lesions was observed between male and female rats. 35,36 Consistent with this finding, estrogen has been shown to promote the development of preneoplastic lesions in kidneys of female Eker rats and to inhibit the progression of human renal carcinoma cells through activation of estrogen receptor β. 37,38 In the present study, by extending the observation period from 27 to 52 weeks, we found that the multiplicity of neoplastic lesions was more prevalent in male rats than in female rats at 52 weeks of age.…”

“…34 We previously found that Eker rats are most susceptible to the development of renal tumors when irradiated with 2 Gy of gamma-rays during the perinatal period. 35,36 The multiplicity of renal tumors developed at the age of 27 weeks was significantly increased in irradiated rats compared with nonirradiated rats.…”

Early induction and increased risk of precursor B-cell neoplasms after exposure of infant or young-adult mice to ionizing radiation

“…During autopsy, all organs were rapidly fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned transversely at 3–4-μm thickness, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Lymphoid neoplasms, including malignant lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia, were diagnosed by pathologists using J-SHARE (Japan Storehouse of Animal Radiobiology Experiments; NIRS, QST) [ 14 ], in which data from autopsy observations and HE specimens prepared by the above methods were registered. A diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms (for the determination of the possible cause of death) was assigned to cases that showed disordered proliferation of atypical lymphocytes in bone marrow or lymphoid tissues (thymus, spleen, lymph node and Peyer’s patch), and infiltration of malignant lymphocytes into several lymphoid tissues or organs.…”