Correlation between miRNA expression and presence of bronchoalveolar carcinoma in dog lung sample
Session Number
1
Advisor(s)
A151
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 10:15 AM
Abstract
Biological effects of radiation exposure are often not immediately apparent. Although radiation damages cellular DNA, symptoms typically manifest later, following cellular attempts to repair the damage. If these repair processes are unsuccessful or inaccurate, they can lead to health complications. To study these delayed effects, scientists rely on biomarkers of radiation exposure that reveal radiation-induced biological changes. Tissue samples from long-term radiation studies conducted in dogs are preserved in the Northwestern University Radiobiology Archive (NURA), providing a valuable resource for investigating the biological effects of radiation. These archived samples were collected from dogs exposed to internal emitters, which increased the risk of cancer development. This project aims to identify microRNA as biomarkers associated with ionizing radiation exposure and lung disease, including bronchoalveolar carcinoma and 60 interstitial fibrosis. Specifically, the study examines whether miRNA-200c and miRNA-141 expression in archival lung tissue correlates with disease development after radiation exposure. MicroRNAs were extracted from archival lung tissue and analyzed using qPCR, while hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess histopathology. Expression levels of miRNAs were correlated with histopathological findings and known radiation exposure data to determine which miRNAs are associated with radiation effects and lung disease.
Correlation between miRNA expression and presence of bronchoalveolar carcinoma in dog lung sample
Biological effects of radiation exposure are often not immediately apparent. Although radiation damages cellular DNA, symptoms typically manifest later, following cellular attempts to repair the damage. If these repair processes are unsuccessful or inaccurate, they can lead to health complications. To study these delayed effects, scientists rely on biomarkers of radiation exposure that reveal radiation-induced biological changes. Tissue samples from long-term radiation studies conducted in dogs are preserved in the Northwestern University Radiobiology Archive (NURA), providing a valuable resource for investigating the biological effects of radiation. These archived samples were collected from dogs exposed to internal emitters, which increased the risk of cancer development. This project aims to identify microRNA as biomarkers associated with ionizing radiation exposure and lung disease, including bronchoalveolar carcinoma and 60 interstitial fibrosis. Specifically, the study examines whether miRNA-200c and miRNA-141 expression in archival lung tissue correlates with disease development after radiation exposure. MicroRNAs were extracted from archival lung tissue and analyzed using qPCR, while hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess histopathology. Expression levels of miRNAs were correlated with histopathological findings and known radiation exposure data to determine which miRNAs are associated with radiation effects and lung disease.