microRNA blood signature for localized radiation injury

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Radiological accidents can cause severe local radiation injury (LRI) affecting skin and underlying tissues.
• Early diagnosis of LRI is critical for effective victim management.
• Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers for radiation-induced hematological defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify a blood miRNA signature for diagnosing local radiation injury (LRI) severity.
• To investigate circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for LRI in a preclinical mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a hindlimb irradiation mouse model with varying X-ray doses to induce LRI.
• Performed broad-spectrum plasma miRNA profiling followed by targeted validation in two independent cohorts.
• Employed multivariate sparse partial least square discriminant analysis to identify a miRNA signature.

Main Results:

• Identified a panel of eight circulating miRNAs capable of distinguishing LRI severity in mice.
• The identified miRNAs are associated with whole-body irradiation, inflammation, and skin diseases.
• The miRNA signature effectively segregated mice based on the severity of induced local radiation injury.

Conclusions:

• Circulating miRNAs can serve as effective molecular biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of local radiation injury.
• The identified eight-miRNA signature holds potential for early LRI detection and patient stratification.
• This study supports the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools for radiation-related injuries.