Review Article

Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Damage: Oxidative Stress and Epigenetic Mechanisms

Table 1

The epigenetic regulation in radiation-induced normal tissue damage.

Epigenetic mechanismsIrradiation organEpigenetic functionsTarget genes/proteinsDamage effectsReference

DNA methylationBrainIncreased expression of DNMT1 and 3aIncreased expression of TET1 and TET3 proteinsRadiation-induced cognitive dysfunctionAcharya et al. [116]
ThymusDecreased expression of DNMT1, 3a, and 3bDecrease in the levels of methyl-binding proteins MeCP2 and MBD2Increased the risk of radiation-inducedleukemia and thymic lymphomaPogribny et al. [119]
Human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231)Decreased DNMT1 expressionDownregulation of RB1 expressionDNA damage and apoptosisAntwih et al. [118]
BrainDecreased expression of DNMT1, 3a, and 3bDecrease in the levels of methyl-binding protein MeCP2Bystander effect in the spleenKoturbash et al. [120]

Histone methylationIntestineIncreased expression of histone H3 methylationRadiation-induced intestinal damageHerberg et al. [124]

Histone acetylationSkinInhibition of HDAC activityRadiation-induced skin damage and carcinogenesisZhang et al. [125]

Regulation of miRNAsHematopoietic systemUpregulation of miR-30a-3p, miR-30c-5p, etc.Radiation-induced hematopoietic damageAcharya et al. [129]
LungUpregulation of miR-19a-3p, miR-144-5p, and miR-144-3pRadiation-induced lung injuryGao et al. [135]
SpleenIncreased expression of miR-34aUpregulation of gene p53Radiation-induced spleen damageGhosh et al. [137]
Hematopoietic and osteoblast cellsIncreased expression of miR-30cSuppression of gene REDD1Radiation-induced hematopoietic and osteoblast cell damageLi et al. [131]