The official journal of the Radiation Research Society,Radiation Research, published a CIRP study in mid-2023 on the effects of neutron and gamma rays combined irradiation on the transcriptional profile of human peripheral blood.

Scientists at CIRP radio-biology lab have delved into the intricate effects of neutron, neutron and gamma-ray, and gamma-ray exposures on the transcription spectrum within the human peripheral blood. The study involved irradiated samples with precise doses of 2.5-MeV neutrons, 137Cs gamma rays, and a combination of both.

Key findings of this research include:

I. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 56 differentially co-expressed genes, enriching 26 KEGG pathways and shedding light on the complex molecular responses to radiation;

II. Neutron exposure, both standalone and combined with gamma rays, led to 97 and 45 differentially expressed genes, respectively, and enriched 21 and 3 unique KEGG pathways;

III. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) confirmed the differential co-expression of AEN, BAX, DDB2, FDXR, and MDM2, highlighting their roles in the cellular response to radiation.

Irradiation of AHH-1 human lymphocytes with a²⁵²Cf neutron source showcased a dose-response relationship in this research for key genes BAX, DDB2, and FDXR within the 0–0.71 Gy range, demonstrating the sensitivity of these genes to neutron exposure; BAX, DDB2, and FDXR exhibited differential expression in this research after irradiation by both Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) and²⁵²Cf neutron sources, pinpointing them as potential molecular targets of neutron damage.

This research deepens our understanding of how radiation affects human genes and identifies specific genes that play pivotal roles in the cellular response to neutron exposure. The findings pave the way for further exploration into targeted interventions and potential therapeutic strategies for mitigating the impact of neutron radiation.

Contact: official@cirp.org.cn