Role of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) in proliferation of radiation induced osteoblast precursor cell injury

Objective: To study the role of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) in the apoptosis and proliferation of the osteoblast precursor cell line (MC3T3-E1) after irradiation. Methods: An irradiation-induced MC3T3-E1 damage model was established, and the effects of irradiation on cell apoptosis and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 were detected by flow cytometry;while the secretion of GAS6 protein and the expression of gas6 gene in MC3T3-E1 after irradiation were detected by ELISA and qRT-PCR. Gas6 siRNA was used to silence the expression of gas6 in MC3T3-E1, and its effect on MC3T3-E1 proliferation after irradiation was detected via BrdU incorporation experiments. The radiation-induced MC3T3-E1 damage model was treated with R428 (an AXL inhibitor), and its effect on MC3T3-E1 proliferation was detected by flow cytometry. Results: An irradiation-induced MC3T3-E1 damage model was established. Flow cytometry data showed that 9 Gy γ-ray irradiation caused an increased cell apoptosis rate in MC3T3-E1. ELISA and qRT-PCR experiments showed that 9 Gy γ-ray irradiation could cause a significant increase in GAS6 secretion and expression in MC3T3-E1. Flow cytometry data also showed that gas6 siRNA had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 after irradiation. R428 significantly inhibited the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 after irradiation, suggesting that GAS6/AXL axis plays an important role. Conclusion: Growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) plays a positive regulatory role in enhancing the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 after irradiation. (authors)