Epigenetic regulation in radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Purpose

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a common and serious adverse effect of radiotherapy for thoracic tumors, which occurs in the irreversible stage of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) >6 months after irradiation. It is characterized by progressive and irreversible destruction of lung tissue and deterioration of lung function, which may impair quality of life and lead to respiratory failure and death. We hope this will draw attention to the involvement of epigenetics in the regulation of RIPF.

Conclusions

This review summarizes research progress on the role and mechanism of DNA methylation, noncoding RNA and RNA methylation in RIPF or RILI, and the possible role and mechanism of histone modification in RIPF. We have noticed that in tissue fibrosis, the epigenetic regulation mechanisms inside and outside the nucleus can influence each other. We speculate that RIPF may be regulated by an epigenetic regulatory network during its development, and believe that TGF-β, SNAIL, PTEN and EZH2 are four targets worthy of in-depth study.

Keywords:

• Epigenetic
• radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis
• DNA methylation
• Histone modification
• non-coding RNA
• RNA methylation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Nos. 81872550 and 82173454].

Notes on contributors

Jiale Li

Jiale Li, undergraduate student of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Rui Wang

Rui Wang, PhD candidate, Department of Radiation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Wen Shi

Wen Shi, undergraduate student of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Xiaoyi Chen

Xiaoyi Chen, undergraduate student of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Junxuan Yi

Junxuan Yi, PhD candidate, Department of Radiation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Xiangshan Yang

Xiangshan Yang, Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China

Shunzi Jin

Shunzi Jin, Professor, Department of Radiation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, China