Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 113-118.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2026.02.005

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Screening for radiation-responsive molecules in blood RNA from four healthy volunteers

ZHANG Chengsi, JIANG Hong, LONG Gaoqun, LI Yuanhang, TIAN Zhujuan   

  1. Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou, China
  • Received:2025-09-02 Revised:2025-12-23 Published:2026-04-09

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood after in vitro exposure to different doses of60Co γ rays and to identify new biomarkers for radiation damage.METHODS: Peripheral blood from four healthy adult volunteers were irradiated with different doses of60Co γrays(0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy). Total RNA samples were extracted from irradiated blood using RNA high-throughput sequencing(RNA seq). The sequencing data was analyzed using bioinformatics methods. The R language software was used to screen differentially expressed genes between groups, and a common set of differentially expressed genes was identified. In addition, GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the differentially expressed genes using the Metascape platform.A protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database and key genes were screened using the Cytoscape software. RESULTS: A total of 281 common and differentially expressed genes were screened,including 89 lncRNAs and 192 mRNAs. The enrichment of these expressed genes was shown by GO to mainly included lymphocyte activation, positive regulation of immune effector process, positive regulation of immune response, inflammatory response,regulation of cellular component size. The KEGG pathway was enriched in cytokine cytokine receptor interactions, viral carcinogenesis, Th17 cell differentiation, ribosomes, T cell receptor signaling pathways,platelet activation,and intercellular adhesion junctions. Protein-protein interaction network screening identified 10 key genes: CD80, CD40, IL2 RA, CCR7, NFKB1, TP53, IL21R, STAT6,PDCD1,and SLAMF1. CONCLUSION: The 10 key genes might be useful biomarkers for demonstration of radiation damage.

Key words: ionizing radiation, RNA sequencing, radiation damage, biomarkers

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