Radon Biomonitoring and microRNA
in Lung Cancer
Rakhmet Bersimbaev 1, Alessandra Pulliero 2, Olga Bulgakova 1, Kussainova Asia 1, Akmara Aripova 1, Alberto Izzotti 2 3
PMID: 32245099 PMCID: PMC7139524 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062154
1 Department of General Biology and Genomics, Institute of Cell Biology and Biotechnology, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, Akmola 010008, Kazakhstan
2 Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, I-16132 Genoa, Italy
3 IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062154
Received: 28 February 2020 / Revised: 18 March 2020 / Accepted: 18 March 2020 / Published: 20 March 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Human Lung Health and Disease)
Abstract
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. microRNA expression in human bronchial epithelium cells is altered by radon, with particular reference to upregulation of miR-16, miR-15, miR-23, miR-19, miR-125, and downregulation of let-7, miR-194, miR-373, miR-124, miR-146, miR-369, and miR-652. These alterations alter cell cycle, oxidative stress, inflammation, oncogene suppression, and malignant transformation. Also DNA methylation is altered as a consequence of miR-29 modification induced by radon. Indeed miR-29 targets DNA methyltransferases causing inhibition of CpG sites methylation. Massive microRNA dysregulation occurs in the lung due to radon expose and is functionally related with the resulting lung damage. However, in humans this massive lung microRNA alterations only barely reflect onto blood microRNAs. Indeed, blood miR-19 was not found altered in radon-exposed subjects. Thus, microRNAs are massively dysregulated in experimental models of radon lung carcinogenesis. In humans these events are initially adaptive being aimed at inhibiting neoplastic transformation. Only in case of long-term exposure to radon, microRNA alterations lead towards cancer development. Accordingly, it is difficult in human to establish a microRNA signature reflecting radon exposure. Additional studies are required to understand the role of microRNAs in pathogenesis of radon-induced lung cancer.
Click here to continue reading online at https://joom.ag/vrUI ...
Keywords: biomonitoring; lung cancer; microRNA; radon.
18