Alteration in Expression of Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A and Nuclear Factor-κB in Mouse Lung Tissue Exposed to Radon

Objective To observe changes in expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in mouse lung tissue induced by radon, so as to provide experimental evidence for understanding related mechanism.

Methods Twenty healthy female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into one control group and three experimental groups with cumulative doses of radon at 30, 60, and 120 working level months (WLM). All mice were sacrificed 1 h after last treatment. The lung tissues were stained with HE, and the expressions of TFAM and NF-κB p65 were detected by im munohistochemistry and Western blot.

Results The immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive cell rates of TFAM and NF-κB p65 significantly increased after radon exposure, and the 120 WLM group presented higher positive cell rates of TFAM and NF-κB p65 (0.521±0.081)%, (0.260±0.068)% than the control group (0.093±0.011)%, (0.069±0.016)%, P < 0.05. So did the expression of protein according to Western blot.

Conclusion The elevated expressions of TFAM and NF-κB induced by radon indicate an activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.