Involvement of Wnt signaling in the injury of murine mesenchymal stem cells exposed to X-radiation

Purpose: To investigate the injury of murine mesenchymal stem cells (mMSC) exposed to 4 Gy X-radiation and the role of canonical and non-canonical wingless-type (Wnt) signaling in the radiation injury. Materials and methods: C3H10T1/2 cells were submitted to 4 Gy X-radiation. At different time points after radiation, Hoechst33258 staining and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) flow cytometry analysis were performed to assess cellular apoptosis. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) staining was performed to analyze cellular senescence. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. P53, p21, Wnt3a, Wnt5a, sonic hedgehog (Shh) mRNA was detected by Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Wnt5a protein was determined by Western blot. Results: A time-dependent cellular apoptosis was observed with a peak level 12 hours after radiation. Cellular senescence was detected 72 h after radiation. A remarkable up-regulation of Wnt5a mRNA expression (similar to 269-fold) and protein expression was seen 72 h after radiation. Conclusions: The effect of 4 Gy X-radiation to mMSC was time-dependent in the form of cellular apoptosis in the early period and cellular senescence in the late period. Non-canonical Wnt signaling may be involved in mMSC senescence induced by 4 Gy X-radiation.