Proton FLASH Exposure Preserves Gut Commensal Microbiomes and Spares Intestinal Stem Cells
Emerging evidence shows Proton FLASH radiotherapy can spare normal tissues while maintaining anti-tumor efficacy. However, its impact on intestinal stem cell (ISC) populations and the gut microbiome remains unclear. This is critical, as the gut microbiome influences ISC radiosensitivity. In a mouse model of radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome, FLASH-irradiated mice exhibited better survival and less crypt-villus damage compared to mice exposed to conventional proton irradiation. Using scRNA-sequencing, we demonstrated that proton FLASH exposure using pulsed pencil beam scanning spares two distinct ISC populations--Lgr5+ CBCs and a Clu+, Mif+, Fabp2+, Anxa2+ revival stem cell (revSC) population--by modulating oxidative stress and cell cycle progression. Analysis of alpha and beta diversity demonstrated that FLASH modulates gut microbiota composition without compromising overall species richness. Notably, FLASH-irradiated mice had higher abundances of Alistipes sp. and Akkermensia sp., both known for protective effects on ISCs and the intestinal mucosa. The critical role of microbiome in FLASH-mediated sparing effect against radiation toxicity was further confirmed by fecal microbiota transplantation, where FLASH-donor microbiota demonstrated reduced lethality in recipients exposed to proton irradiation with conventional dose rate. Our findings highlight the crucial role of the microbiome in the FLASH-mediated sparing of the mucosal epithelium.