Low-Dose Radiation-Induced Expression of Exosomal miRNAs in the Serum of Medical Radiation Workers

Objective: Long-term low-dose ionizing radiation may alter genomes and cause diseases. This study examined serum exosomal miRNA differences among radiation-exposed medical workers by work types. Methods: High-throughput sequencing screened serum exosomal miRNAs in diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, and nuclear medicine doctors. qRT-PCR validated differentially expressed miRNAs. Results: 410 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 102 downregulated and 308 upregulated miRNAs, enriched in 15 KEGG pathways. Four miRNAs were validated. miR-30e-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-486-5p differed significantly among groups(P<0.01).The expression levels of these three miRNAs were lower in the nuclear medicine group than in the diagnostic group (0.25±0.05vs3.89±8.62,0.10±0.15vs7.03±15.75,0.37±0.39vs4.46±9.64;Z=3.542,3.335,9.859;P<0.01), whereas miR-155-5p was lower in the interventional group than in the diagnostic group(1.32±2.43vs 7.03±15.75;H=11.889,P=0.003), miR-486-5p was higher(9.54±19.39vs4.46±9.64; H=9.859,P=0.007). All four miRNAs showed higher expression in the 14-31-year work-experience group, and all four also showed age-dependent differences, with miR-30d-5p and miR-486-5p showing the age-related differences (P<0.01). Combined detection of the four miRNAs improved discrimination among occupational categories (AUC=0.784). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that sex was associated with all four miRNAs, whereas work type was associated with miR-30d-5p and miR-155-5p (P<0.05). Conclusion: Serum exosomal miR-30e-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-486-5p are promising biomarkers for monitoring radiation-induced damage, supporting occupational protection and health management.