Integrative analysis of gene expression in response to low-dose ionizing radiation in a human skin model

Abstract

The advance in medical imaging and utilization has raised the concern about exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). Cellular and molecular responses to high-dose ionizing radiation have been characterized, but in the range of low dose, these responses are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the gene expression in response to LDIR (10 cGy) in the EpiDermFT human skin model. We identified 3299 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to LDIR. Among these DEGs, we noted several well-characterized long noncoding RNAs. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to detect altered molecular response. GO and KEGG pathway results showed that genes corresponding to "regulation of cell proliferation" were enriched. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that KRAS signaling pathway was enriched in response to LDIR and transcription targets of NF-κB were also enriched when exposed to LDIR.