Identification of cadaveric liver tissues using thanatotranscriptome biomarkers

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Thanatotranscriptome studies examine mRNA in deceased individuals to understand cellular status postmortem.
• Gene expression patterns can indicate molecular events following death and provide anatomical context.
• Identifying specific gene biomarkers is crucial for accurate tissue identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate targeted transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing.
• To reveal global changes in postmortem gene expression in liver tissues.
• To validate the use of gene expression signatures for tissue identification.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing was performed on liver tissues from 27 deceased individuals (3.5 hours to 37 days postmortem).
• A single-blind study utilized eight liver tissue-specific gene biomarkers (e.g., AMBP, AHSG).
• Sequencing reads were mapped to identify and validate liver-specific gene expression patterns.

Main Results:

• The study achieved high specificity in identifying postmortem liver samples using the selected biomarkers.
• 98-100% of sequencing reads mapped to the identified liver biomarkers.
• Gene expression signatures remained detectable and validated tissue identity up to 37 days postmortem.

Conclusions:

• Targeted transcriptome analysis is a highly specific method for identifying postmortem liver tissue.
• Liver-specific gene biomarkers can confirm tissue origin even after extended periods of autolysis.
• Gene expression signatures provide reliable molecular identifiers for forensic and anatomical investigations.