Gene Expression Profiles in Radiation Workers Occupationally Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

• Published in: JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 61 - 71
• Main Authors: Fachin, Ana Lucia, Mello, Stephano Spano, Sandrin-Garcia, Paula, Junta, Cristina Moraes, Ghilardi-Netto, Thomaz, Donadi, Eduardo Antonio, Passos, Geraldo Aleixo da Silva, Sakamoto-Hojo, Elza Tiemi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England THE JAPAN RADIATION RESEARCH SOCIETY 01-01-2009; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Bioindicators; biomarkers; Blood Proteins - analysis; Cancer; Carcinogenesis; Cell cycle; Cellular signal transduction; Chromosome aberrations; DNA microarrays; DNA repair; Dosimetry; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression Profiling - methods; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Gene Expression Regulation - radiation effects; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; Genomic instability; Glutathione transferase; Health aspects; Humans; Interleukin 16; Ionizing radiation; Long-term effects; Lymphocytes; Middle Aged; Nuclear Power Plants; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational safety and health; Rad52 protein; Radiation Dosage; RhoA protein; Signal transduction; Statistical analysis; Stress; Transcription (Genetics); Ubiquitin; Workers
• ISSN: 0449-3060; 1349-9157; 1349-9157
• DOI: 10.1269/jrr.08034

Ionizing radiation(IR)imposes risks to human health and the environment. IR at low doses and low dose rates has the potency to initiate carcinogenesis. Genotoxic environmental agents such as IR trigger a cascade of signal transduction pathways for cellular protection. In this study, using cDNA microarray technique, we monitored the gene expression profiles in lymphocytes derived from radiation-exposed individuals(radiation workers). Physical dosimetry records on these patients indicated that the absorbed dose ranged from 0.696 to 39.088 mSv. Gene expression analysis revealed statistically significant transcriptional changes in a total of 78 genes(21 up-regulated and 57 down-regulated)involved in several biological processes such as ubiquitin cycle(UHRF2 and PIAS1), DNA repair(LIG3, XPA, ERCC5, RAD52, DCLRE1C), cell cycle regulation/proliferation(RHOA, CABLES2, TGFB2, IL16), and stress response(GSTP1, PPP2R5A, DUSP22). Some of the genes that showed altered expression profiles in this study can be used as biomarkers for monitoring the chronic low level exposure in humans. Additionally, alterations in gene expression patterns observed in chronically exposed radiation workers reinforces the need for defining the effective radiation dose that causes immediate genetic damage as well as the long-term effects on genomic instability, including cancer.