CCR2-driven monocyte recruitment is protective against radiotherapy-induced intestinal toxicity.

ABSTRACT: Radiotherapy (RT) is essential in treating abdominal and pelvic cancers but often damages the healthy tissues, particularly the intestines, leading to radiation-induced toxicities with limited treatment options. While the immune system is known to help regulate tissue damage, immune mechanisms involved in RT-induced intestinal toxicity are not fully understood. Following CT-guided localised intestinal irradiation, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and flow cytometry revealed RT-induced chemokine-dependent recruitment of innate immune cells. Deletion of C-C chemokine receptor (Ccr)1, Ccr2, Ccr3 and Ccr5, blocked recruitment and worsened radiation-induced toxicities, suggesting an important role for an innate immune cell population in limiting RT-mediated bowel damage. Furthermore, CCR2

SUBMITTER: Pun N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916328 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature