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MicroRNA expression profiling of human metastatic cancers identifies cancer gene targets
Author(s) -
Baffa Raffaele,
Fassan Matteo,
Volinia Stefano,
O'Hara Brian,
Liu ChangGong,
Palazzo Juan P,
Gardiman Marina,
Rugge Massimo,
Gomella Leonard G,
Croce Carlo M,
Rosenberg Anne
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.2586
Subject(s) - microrna , metastasis , gene expression profiling , biology , cancer research , cancer , breast cancer , bladder cancer , colorectal cancer , immunohistochemistry , gene expression , pathology , gene , medicine , genetics
Small non‐coding microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to cancer development and progression, and are differentially expressed in normal tissues and cancers. However, the specific role of miRNAs in the metastatic process is still unknown. To seek a specific miRNA expression signature characterizing the metastatic phenotype of solid tumours, we performed a miRNA microarray analysis on 43 paired primary tumours (ten colon, ten bladder, 13 breast, and ten lung cancers) and one of their related metastatic lymph nodes. We identified a metastatic cancer miRNA signature comprising 15 overexpressed and 17 underexpressed miRNAs. Our results were confirmed by qRT‐PCR analysis. Among the miRNAs identified, some have a well‐characterized association with cancer progression, eg miR‐10b, miR‐21, miR‐30a, miR‐30e, miR‐125b, miR‐141, miR‐200b, miR‐200c, and miR‐205. To further support our data, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis for three well‐defined miRNA gene targets ( PDCD4, DHFR , and HOXD10 genes) on a small series of paired colon, breast, and bladder cancers, and one of their metastatic lymph nodes. We found that the immunohistochemical expression of these targets significantly follows the corresponding miRNA deregulation. Our results suggest that specific miRNAs may be directly involved in cancer metastasis and that they may represent a novel diagnostic tool in the characterization of metastatic cancer gene targets. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.