Comprehensive high-throughput sequencing analysis and verification of miRNAs isolated from bronchial epithelial cells undergoing radiation-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) constitutes a significant complication in radiotherapy for various cancers, often severely limiting its efficacy. Recent studies suggest that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of RIPF. Elucidating the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in EMT could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying RIPF and potentially reveal therapeutic targets. In this study, twelve dishes of BEAS-2B cells were irradiated with 6 Gy Co γ-rays, and RNA was extracted at 0, 6, and 48 h after irradiation. High-throughput sequencing analysis of miRNA samples revealed miRNA significant changes in the BEAS-2B cells after irradiation, which was verified by RT-PCR. Additionally, the upstream transcription factors (TFs) were predicted through graphene oxide-based analysis. Transcription factors regulate the expression and transcriptional levels of miRNAs, and their functions may be associated with inflammatory or oxidative stress responses. The functional roles of these TFs were characterized through gene ontology (GO) analysis. Overall, we successfully screened and identified a set of miRNAs associated with ionizing radiation-induced EMT in lung epithelial cells and performed predictive identification of their upstream TFs and downstream regulatory target proteins. These data provide a firm foundation for future studies of the mechanism of radiation-induced EMT processes and related changes in biological function.