Gene expression changes of COXIIin human lymphocytes induced by ~(60)Coγ-rays

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the changes of COXⅡgene expression in lymphoblastoid cells induced by ionizing radiation,in order to provide scientific evidence for gene expression as a biomarker in radiobiodosimetry.METHODS:Lymphoblastoid cells were irradiated by ~(60)Coγ-rays at doses of 0-15Gy,and then cultured for different periods of 0-72 h.The levels of COXⅡgene expression were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Real-time PCR results showed there were no significant changes in COXⅡgene expression at the transcriptional level after irradiation by 0-15 Gy ~(60)Coγ-rays(P0.05).While,at the translation level,COXⅡgene expression levels were significantly increased 24-72 h after being irradiated by ~(60)Coγ-rays(P0.05).In particular at two post-irradiation time-points,48 h and 72 h,COXⅡgene expression level correlated with radiation dose.The radiation-induced changes of COXⅡgene expression between the mRNA and protein levels in human lymphoblastoid cells were not identical.CONCLUSION:At the translation level,radiation could significantly increase COXⅡgene expression 24-72 h after irradiation in human lymphocytes,and showed good dose-response relationships at 48 h and 72 h.COXⅡhas the potential of becoming a sensitive biomarker and biodosimeter for radiation damage.