Nrf-2 as a novel target in radiation induced lung injury

Yuan-Yuan Chen; Meng Wang; Chen-Yang Zuo; Meng-Xia Mao; Xiao-Chun Peng; Jun Cai

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29492

Nrf-2 as a novel target in radiation induced lung injury

Heliyon. 2024 Apr 10;10(8):e29492. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29492. eCollection 2024 Apr 30.

Authors

Yuan-Yuan Chen¹, Meng Wang¹, Chen-Yang Zuo¹, Meng-Xia Mao¹, Xiao-Chun Peng^{2

3}, Jun Cai¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434023, PR China.
² Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434023, PR China.
³ Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434023, PR China.

Abstract

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a common and fatal complication of chest radiotherapy. The underlying mechanisms include radiation-induced oxidative stress caused by damage to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in apoptosis of lung and endothelial cells and recruitment of inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts expressing NADPH oxidase to the site of injury, which in turn contribute to oxidative stress and cytokine production. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) is a vital transcription factor that regulates oxidative stress and inhibits inflammation. Studies have shown that Nrf-2 protects against radiation-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. This review discusses the protective role of Nrf-2 in RILI and its possible mechanisms.

Keywords: Ferroptosis; Fibrosis; Inflammatory response; Nrf-2; RILI.

Publication types

Review