Effects of X-ray irradiation on proliferation and RANTES expression of the mouse osteogenic precursor cell line MC3T3-E1

To investigate the effects of X-ray irradiation on the proliferation and protein secretion in vitro in a cultured mouse osteoblast precursor cell line (MC3T3-E1) and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced bone injury.

Mouse osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into a 0 Gy control group, 2 Gy group, 4 Gy group and 8 Gy group according to the irradia-tion dose. The corresponding dose of X-rays was applied, and the changes in cell morphology after irradiation were observed. Cell proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 method, and alkaline phosphorus was detected at 7 days after irradiation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and expression of secreted proteins were detected by high-throughput protein chip technology. The differential expression of proteins due to radiation damage was screened and verified by an ELISA.

After irradiation, the soma and nucleus of MC3T3-E1 cells were enlarged. Compared to the control group, the cell proliferation rates of the 4 Gy and 8 Gy groups were significantly decreased starting at 3 days in culture (P < 0.05), and the cell proliferation decreased in a dose-dependent manner. After 7 days of culture, the ALP activity in the cells of each irradiated group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, 36 differentially expressed proteins were found in the supernatant after irradiation. Among them, the content of regulated upon activation, normal T cell expression and secreted factor (RANTES) was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner.

A certain dose of irradiation can inhibit the proliferation of mouse osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1), and RANTES may be an important signaling factor induced by radiation damage.