Cerium oxide nanoparticles provide radioprotective effects upon X-ray irradiation by modulation of gene expression

Nanocrystalline cerium dioxide is known as a unique redox active nanomaterial. Cerium dioxide is considered as the basis for future biomedical preparations, including radioprotectors. In the framework of this study, we synthesized citrate-stabilized CeO$_{2}$ nanoparticles and carried out a comprehensive in vitro assessment of their radioprotective properties on a NCTC L929 murine fibroblast culture. It was shown that CeO$_{2}$ nanoparticles ensure the survival of murine fibroblasts, even after high-dose X-ray irradiation, reducing the number of dead cells in the culture and modulating the mRNA level of the key antioxidant enzymes — superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). The results obtained confirm the potential for studying the properties of CeO$_{2}$ nanoparticles as basic materials for designing new efficient and safe preparations for protection against ionizing radiation.