Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws (ORNJ) is a complication of oral and maxillofacial
malignancy that arises following
radiotherapy; progressive jaw
necrosis severely decreases the quality of life of patients. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) are a cell type with self‑renewal and pluripotent differentiation potential in the bone marrow stroma. These cells are associated with bone tissue regeneration and are one of the primary cell types affected by bone tissue
radiation injury. α‑2‑macroglobulin (α2M) is a glycoprotein‑rich macromolecule that interacts with
cytokines,
growth factors and
hormones to serve a variety of biological roles. In addition, α2M possesses radio‑protective effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether α2M has protective effects against
radiation injury of hBMMSCs. Cell counting kit‑8 and colony formation assays were used to monitor cell proliferation. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect
Beclin1, microtubule‑associated
protein 1A/1B, sex determining region Y, Nanog, runt‑related
transcription factor 2, osteoglycin and
manganese superoxide dismutase expression. The formation of
calcium nodules was evaluated by
Alizarin red staining after osteogenic induction. Flow cytometric analysis of Annexin‑V and
propidium iodide double staining was used to detect changes in apoptosis rate.
Alkaline phosphatase and
superoxide dismutase activity were determined using colorimetric assays.
Reactive oxygen species levels were detected using 2',7'‑dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The results of the present study revealed that α2M increased the rate of proliferation, reduced autophagy, alleviated pluripotent differentiation injury, increased the osteogenic differentiation ability and decreased the rate of apoptosis in hBMMSCs following irradiation via an antioxidative pathway. In conclusion, α2M exhibited protective effects against
radiation injury in hBMMSCs and may be considered a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of ORNJ.