Signature of microRNA dysregulation in spitzoid melanocytic lesions.
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Date
2012-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: Expression of microRNA has been found to be dysregulated among breast, hepatocellular, papillary thyroid, gastric, and colon carcinomas, as well as many other cancers. Several studies have used microRNA signatures as biomarkers to determine the diagnosis and prognosis of patient tumors. Although several studies have identified dysregulated microRNAs in malignant melanoma, dysregulated microRNAs in spitzoid melanocytic lesions have yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to develop a microRNA signature to be used in determining the diagnoses and prognoses of spitzoid melanocytic lesions.
Methods: A literature review was conducted to collate a list of microRNAs that were found to have significant dysregulation in primary malignant melanomas. The expression of the microRNAs was quantified by qPCR in benign nevi (n=10), benign Spitz tumors (n=8), atypical Spitz tumors (n=12), and spitzoid melanomas (n=4) tissue samples, using RNU48 (housekeeping snRNA) as an internal control.
Results: Nine microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between the tissue types. For example, let 7a, miR 22, miR 125b, and miR 148b were found to be dysregulated in spitzoid melanomas when compared to benign Spitz tumors. The expression of let 7a, miR 125b, miR 148b, and miR 211 exhibited general trends across the tissue types as the architectural and cytological characteristics of malignancy increased.
Conclusion: These results may develop a specific microRNA signature that could distinguish one tissue type from another tissue type in a patient sample. Future studies will also include applying the signature to patient samples, verifying it with previously established histopathological methods, and following individual patient outcomes.
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Keywords
Melanoma, microRNA, microRNA signature, Spitz Melanoma