Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Affects Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Extracellular Oxidized Cell-Free DNA: A Possible Mediator of Bystander Effect and Adaptive Response

Figure 9

Low-dose radiation and cfDNAox and cfDNAoxR fragments activate antioxidant response. (a) Dependence of changes in the levels of NRF2 mRNA in irradiated cells and cells exposed to cfDNAox and cfDNAoxR on the time after exposure (RT-PCR); mRNA levels—average expression of genes in treated cells compared to controls (three biological replicates). Reference gene, TBP. , nonparametric U test (qRT-PCR). (b) Average median signal intensities in cells stained with anti-NRF2-FITC antibodies after various exposures (3 h and 24 h after exposure, flow cytometry). (c) Fluorescence microscopy of irradiated cells and cells exposed to cfDNAox stained with anti-NRF2-FITC antibodies and DAPI.

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