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Published on: July 30, 2011
Microarray analysis of miRNA expression profiles following whole body irradiation in a mouse model
Molykutty J Aryankalayil1, Sunita Chopra1, Adeola Makinde1
1a Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA.
Context:
Accidental exposure to life-threatening radiation in a nuclear event is a major concern; there is an enormous need for identifying biomarkers for radiation biodosimetry to triage populations and treat critically exposed individuals.
Objective:
To identify dose-differentiating miRNA signatures from whole blood samples of whole body irradiated mice.
Methods:
Mice were whole body irradiated with X-rays (2 Gy-15 Gy); blood was collected at various time-points post-exposure; total RNA was isolated; miRNA microarrays were performed; miRNAs differentially expressed in irradiated vs. unirradiated controls were identified; feature extraction and classification models were applied to predict dose-differentiating miRNA signature.
Results:
We observed a time and dose responsive alteration in the expression levels of miRNAs. Maximum number of miRNAs were altered at 24-h and 48-h time-points post-irradiation. A 23-miRNA signature was identified using feature selection algorithms and classifier models. An inverse correlation in the expression level changes of miR-17 members, and their targets were observed in whole body irradiated mice and non-human primates.
Conclusion:
Whole blood-based miRNA expression signatures might be used for predicting radiation exposures in a mass casualty nuclear incident.
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