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.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
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