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Next-generation sequencing of microRNAs reveals a unique expression pattern in different types of pituitary adenomas

Zongze He1, Longyi Chen1, Xiao Hu1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China.

Endocrine Journal
|May 8, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals distinct microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns in pituitary adenomas (PAs). These specific miRNA signatures could serve as potential biomarkers for nonfunctioning, growth hormone-secreting, and prolactin-secreting PAs.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are common intracranial tumors causing significant morbidity due to hormone dysregulation.
  • Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is linked to pituitary gland development, function, and tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differential miRNA expression patterns in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs), growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GHPAs), and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (PRLPAs).
  • To identify potential miRNA biomarkers for specific PA subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • High-throughput sequencing (HiSeq 2000) was used to profile miRNA expression in PA subtypes and normal pituitary glands.
  • Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validated miRNA expression in 73 patient samples (13 GHPAs, 42 NFPAs, 18 PRLPAs) and 6 normal glands.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs were differentially expressed across PA subtypes: miR-34c-3p, miR-34b-5p, miR-378, and miR-338-5p were downregulated in PRLPAs.
  • miR-493-5p was downregulated and miR-181b-5p upregulated in NFPAs.
  • miR-184 was upregulated in GHPAs, while miR-124-3p was downregulated in both NFPAs and GHPAs.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct miRNA expression profiles characterize NFPAs, GHPAs, and PRLPAs.
  • These identified miRNA signatures hold potential as novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for pituitary adenomas.
Keywords:
Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomasNonfunctioning pituitary adenomasProlactin-secreting pituitary adenomasRNA-sequencingmiRNAs

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