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Gene expression analysis in Mayak workers with prolonged occupational radiation exposure
Michael Abend1, Tamara Azizova, Kerstin Müller
1*Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology affiliated to the University of Ulm, Munich, Germany; †Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Russian Federation; ‡Bundeswehr Medical Office, Department IX 1, CBRN Med Defence, Munich, Germany; §Research Unit of Radiation Cytogenetics, Integrative Biology Group, Helmholtz Center, Munich, Germany.
Health Physics
|April 30, 2014
Summary
Occupational radiation exposure, particularly from plutonium-239 (²³⁹Pu), alters gene expression in Mayak workers. These gene expression changes may serve as a lasting signature of radiation exposure.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Biology
- Molecular Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Mayak workers experienced occupational exposure to combined incorporated plutonium-239 (²³⁹Pu) and external gamma rays, or gamma rays alone.
- Assessing long-term health effects requires understanding persistent biological markers post-exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence of a permanent gene expression signature in peripheral blood following occupational radiation exposure.
- To identify specific genes and microRNAs modulated by internal ²³⁹Pu and external gamma-ray exposure.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis was performed on peripheral blood samples from Mayak workers (exposed and controls) using whole genome microarrays and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).
- Both transcriptional (mRNA) and post-transcriptional (microRNA) levels were examined.
- Candidate genes were selected based on a twofold expression difference and statistical significance (Kruskal-Wallis test).
Main Results:
- Out of 42,545 transcripts, 376 candidate genes were identified, with 80 up-regulated and 296 down-regulated.
- The majority of selected genes (70-98%) showed significant association with internal ²³⁹Pu exposure, while fewer (2-30%) associated with external gamma-ray exposure.
- Forty-five microRNAs exhibited expression associations in the same direction as the gene expression changes.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression profiles in peripheral blood are significantly modulated by occupational radiation exposure, particularly internal ²³⁹Pu.
- While distinct gene sets were affected by different exposure types, a clear differentiating signature between combined and gamma-ray-only exposure was not identified through gene set enrichment analysis.
