NF-κB target TFAM to modulate mtDNA copies involved in lung injury of mice induced by radon

Abstract Radon is the second causative agent of lung cancer after cigarette smoke, it has been identified as a class I carcinogen. However, the exact mechanism of lung cancer caused by radon is still unclear. To examine the underlying mechanism of radon-induced lung injury, a combination of dose- and time-dependent toxic effects in vivo and vitro, NF-κB/TFAM/mtDNA pathway was employed. Radon-induced toxicity occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manners and was characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration, the alveolar septum thickened and the alveolar wall ruptured, moreover, TFAM, NF-κB p65, COXⅡ, ROS and mtDNA signaling pathways were the vital steps in radon-induced pulmonary toxicity. Finally, mitochondrial was identified as a potential target organelle for the further explore of radon-induced lung cancer.