MicroRNA Levels in Cervical Cancer Samples and Relationship with Lesion Grade and HPV Infection
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Published on: June 7, 2016
Carolina R Hoelzle1, Solène Arnoult2, Cinthya R M Borém1
1Faculdade Santa Casa BH (FSCBH). Programa de Pos-Graduacao Stricto Sensu em Medicina - Biomedicina. Molecular Biology and Biomarkers Laboratory, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Background:
miR-21, miR-214 and miR-let-7a are three validated and well-known miRNAs. miR-21 is described as an "oncomir" while miR-214 and miR-let-7a are described mainly as tumor suppressors. The role of these miRNAs remains unclear in cervical cancer, an important malignancy among women worldwide and responsible for many deaths every year.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to describe the expression profile of miR-21, miR-214 and miR-let-7a in plasma and in cervical scraping from a control group and patients with different grades of cervical lesions and invasive cervical cancer and correlate with HPV infection groups.
Methods:
Plasma and cervical scraping were submitted to DNA and RNA extraction. HPV detection and typing were performed by conventional PCR followed by PAGE to amplicons interpretation. The miRNA relative expression in plasma and cervical scraping samples was performed by real time PCR using specific TaqMan probes.
Results:
miR-21 (p=0.0277) and miR-214 (p=0.0151) were up-regulated in cervical scraping samples of invasive cervical cancer (ICC) group. However, miR-214 was also up-regulated in the LSIL group (p=0.0062). Both miRNAs were not related to HPV infection. However, miR-let-7a was higher in HPV positive plasma samples (p=0.0433) than in HPV negative plasma samples and the correlation analysis confirmed the association between the levels of this miRNA with the presence of HPV (p=0.0407; r=0.3029), but not with lesion grade (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that miR-21 is related to cervical cancer progression and miR-214 appears to have an ambiguous role in cervical lesions. miR-let-7a may be upregulated at a systemic level in patients with HPV infection.
Insights
This study investigated microRNA (miRNA) expression in cervical cancer. miR-21 and miR-214 were elevated in cervical cancer tissues, while miR-let-7a correlated with HPV infection in plasma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gynecologic Oncology
Background:
- Cervical cancer is a significant global health concern.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-21, miR-214, and miR-let-7a have known roles in cancer, but their specific function in cervical cancer is unclear.
- miR-21 is an oncomir, while miR-214 and miR-let-7a are typically tumor suppressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile the expression of miR-21, miR-214, and miR-let-7a in plasma and cervical scrapings.
- To correlate miRNA expression with cervical lesion grades and invasive cervical cancer.
- To investigate the association between these miRNAs and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Main Methods:
- RNA and DNA extraction from plasma and cervical scraping samples.
- HPV detection and typing using conventional PCR and PAGE.
- Quantification of relative miRNA expression via real-time PCR with TaqMan probes.
Main Results:
- miR-21 and miR-214 were significantly upregulated in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) tissues.
- miR-214 was also elevated in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL).
- miR-let-7a expression was higher in plasma of HPV-positive individuals and correlated with HPV presence, but not lesion grade.
Conclusions:
- miR-21 appears to be involved in cervical cancer progression.
- miR-214 may play a complex or ambiguous role in cervical lesions.
- miR-let-7a upregulation in plasma suggests a systemic response to HPV infection.
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