Ku86 alleviates human umbilical vein endothelial cellular apoptosis and senescence induced by a low dose of ionizing radiation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Ku86 on cellular senescence and apoptosis induced by various doses of ionizing radiation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity was detected to evaluate cell senescence. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and a caspase enzyme determination kit. p16(Ink4a), Sirt1, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), xanthine oxidase (XOD), and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: Low doses of ionizing radiation induced cellular senescence and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The Ku86 protein was negatively correlated with ionization intensity. After transfection of Ku86 with a vector (pcDNA 3.1), or interference with siRNA (si-Ku86), apoptosis/senescence and related protein expression were observed. Western blot results revealed that this induction of senescence was associated with activated Sirt1 and SOD2, and downregulation of p16(Ink4a) and XOD in 0.2 Gy ionizing radiation. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, such as Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, were significantly altered in both the presence and absence of Ku86 with ionizing radiation (0.2 Gy). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that Ku86 overexpression inhibits HUVEC apoptosis and senescence induced by low doses of ionizing radiation.