Abstract
Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, noncoding RNAs of 17 to 25 nucleotides that regulate approximately 30% of human genes. They are differentially expressed in various types of cancers compared with noncancerous tissues, suggesting that they may have crucial roles in tumorigenesis. The objective of this study was to discover LSCC-specific miRNAs.
Method: Global miRNA profiling (800 human miRNAs plus 10 endogenous control miRNAs) was performed on 8 formalin-fixed archival LSCC samples and 5 normal laryngeal squamous epithelium (HTG, Tucson, AZ, USA). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) approach was employed to verify expression status of selected miRNAs that were significantly different from normal controls.
Results: Thirty-one of the 800 human miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed (P < .05) between LSCC vs normal tissues. Selected miRNAs (miR-31, miR-193b, miR-663b, miR-923, and miR-1826), by qRT-PCR, verified expression of consistently upregulated miR-31 and miR-193b as well as differentially expressed miR-663b, miR-923, and miR-1826. Dysregulation of miR-923 was newly observed and showed upregulation in 3 out of 8 and downregulation in 5 out of 8 LSCC.
Conclusion: We have identified a group of 31 aberrantly expressed miRNAs in LSCC. miR-923 has not been previously reported in HNSCC, including LSCC. Further detailed examinations of this miRNA will provide opportunities to dissect the complex molecular abnormalities driving LSCC.
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