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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Isolation of microRNAs from Tick Ex Vivo Salivary Gland Cultures and Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: April 6, 2022
Oral swirl samples - a robust source of microRNA protected by extracellular vesicles
T Yap1, L J Vella2, C Seers1,3
1Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Background:
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs which are dysregulated in disease states, such as oral cancer. Extracellular vesicles, a potential source of microRNA, are found in saliva.
Objective:
To demonstrate that a quantifiable amount of microRNA can be isolated from oral swirl samples. Additionally, we hypothesized that extracellular vesicles may protect contained microRNA from degradation in these samples.
Method:
A polyethylene glycol-based precipitation was used for extracellular vesicle enrichment of oral swirl samples. Comparison was made between samples treated with and without RNase. Further, samples from three subjects were exposed to a range of conditions over 7 days and assessed for presence of microRNA by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. Extracellular vesicles from samples were identified under transmission electron microscopy.
Results:
An adequate quantity of microRNA for qPCR analysis was extractable from samples despite exposure to conditions under which degradation of RNA would be expected.
Conclusion:
A technique was developed to isolate an adequate quantity of microRNA for analysis from oral swirl samples. Extracellular vesicle-associated microRNA may be protected from degradation. This technique moves towards chairside application of translational microRNA research in the field of oral cancer prognostics.
