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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Microarray analysis of microRNA expression in mouse fetus at 13.5 and 14.5 days post-coitum in ear and back skin
Leda Torres1, Ulises Juárez2, Laura García3
1Laboratorio de Citogenética, Depto. de Investigación en Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, México.
Abstract:
There is no information regarding the role of microRNAs in the development of the external ear in mammals. The purpose of this study was to determine the stage-specific expression of microRNA during external ear development in mice under normal conditions. GeneChip miRNA 3.0 arrays by Affymetrix were used to obtain miRNA expression profiles from mice fetal pinnae and back skin tissues at 13.5 days-post-coitum (dpc) and 14.5 dpc. Biological triplicates for each tissue were analyzed; one litter represents one biological replica, each litter had 16 fetuses on average. The results were analyzed with Affymetrix's Transcriptome Analysis Console software to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. The inquiry showed significant differential expression of 25 miRNAs at 13.5 dpc and 31 at 14.5 dpc, some of these miRNAs were predicted to target genes implicated in external ear development. One example is mmu-miR-10a whose low expression in pinnae is known to impact ear development by modulating Hoxa1 mRNA levels Garzon et al. (2006), Gavalas et al. (1998) [1], [2]. Other findings like the upregulation of mmu-miR-200c and mmu-miR-205 in the pinnae tissues of healthy mice are in agreement with what has been reported in human patients with microtia, in which down regulation of both miRNAs has been found Li et al. (2013) [3]. This study uncovered a spatiotemporal pattern of miRNA expression in the external ear, which results from continuous transcriptional changes during normal development of body structures. All microarray data are available at the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) at NCBI under accession number GSE64945.
Insights
This study reveals microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns during mouse external ear development. Specific miRNAs were identified that may play crucial roles in normal ear formation and conditions like microtia.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression.
- The role of miRNAs in mammalian external ear development remains largely uncharacterized.
- Understanding miRNA expression is vital for insights into ear morphogenesis and congenital anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stage-specific expression profiles of miRNAs during normal mouse external ear development.
- To identify candidate miRNAs involved in the intricate processes of ear morphogenesis.
- To establish a baseline for miRNA expression in developing ear tissues.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis using Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 3.0 arrays.
- Profiling of miRNA expression in mouse fetal pinnae and back skin tissues at 13.5 and 14.5 days-post-coitum (dpc).
- Differential expression analysis using Affymetrix Transcriptome Analysis Console software.
Main Results:
- Significant differential expression of 25 miRNAs at 13.5 dpc and 31 miRNAs at 14.5 dpc was observed.
- Several identified miRNAs are predicted to target genes critical for external ear development.
- Upregulation of mmu-miR-200c and mmu-miR-205 in healthy pinnae contrasts with their downregulation in human microtia.
Conclusions:
- A distinct spatiotemporal pattern of miRNA expression exists during normal external ear development in mice.
- These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing ear morphogenesis.
- The identified miRNAs serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ear developmental disorders.
