Investigating the expression level of long non-coding RNAs in response to low-dose ionizing radiation

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the growing number of studies on lncRNAs, particularly in cancer biology, there is a lack of information about their specific roles. In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of LNCs after exposure to X-ray radiation and found that ANRIL was overexpressed in response to 8Gy radiation. Apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA repair-related LNCs may be promising avenues for further exploration of the effects of low-dose radiation and the cell sensitivity it may represent. Research Methods: In this study, Peripheral Mononuclear Cells (PMCs) were isolated from three males and three females, and then cultured and stimulated with 0.5, 2, 5, and 8 Gy doses of X-ray. Subsequently, total RNA was extracted from the treated and untreated samples and Long Non-Coding RNAs (LNCs) expression levels were analysed by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Findings: An examination of the expression of the specified (LNCs) in six volunteers demonstrated noteworthy expression modifications that correlated to the increment in X-ray radiation. The analysis of TUG1, Gadd7, ANRIL, and Trp53cor1 expression revealed that it augmented with the rise of X-ray radiation in distinct time irradiation conditions; conversely, the expression of HOTAIR has significantly diminished in 6-hour and 20-hour irradiations in all X-ray doses when compared to the control state. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the expression patterns of TUG1 and ANRIL were found to vary with increasing radiation dose and duration, thus indicating their potential use as biomarkers in order to detect the slightest aberrant cellular growth. Moreover, the expression of Trp53cor1 was observed to increase only in the case of higher doses and longer durations, thereby allowing for the detection of radiations of higher intensities and longer durations.