Circulating levels of microRNAs 126-5p, 150-5p, 214-3p, and 452-5p decrease following splenectomy in dogs with...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Splenic hemangiosarcoma is a common and aggressive cancer in dogs.
• Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of splenic hemangiosarcoma is crucial.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with regulatory roles implicated in various cancers, including hemangiosarcoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential expression of specific serum microRNAs (miRNAs) in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma before and after surgical removal of the tumor (splenectomy).
• To identify potential miRNA biomarkers for splenic hemangiosarcoma.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 17 dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma at preoperative, 24-48 hours postoperative, and 10-30 days postoperative time points.
• Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of eight selected miRNAs (miR-126-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-214-3p, miR-452-5p, miR-494-3p, miR-497-5p, miR-543) and two control miRNAs (miR-16-5p, miR-93-5p).
• Differential expression analysis was performed between the different time points.

Main Results:

• MicroRNA-126-5p expression significantly decreased at both postoperative time points compared to preoperative levels.
• MicroRNA-150-5p and miR-214-3p showed decreased expression between the preoperative and early postoperative periods, but not at the later time point.
• MicroRNA-452-5p expression was reduced at the later postoperative time point compared to preoperative levels. No significant changes were observed for miR-203a-3p, miR-494-3p, miR-497-5p, or miR-543.

Conclusions:

• The expression of miR-126-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-214-3p, and miR-452-5p decreased post-splenectomy in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.
• These miRNAs, previously linked to angiogenesis and hemangiosarcoma pathogenesis, show potential as biomarkers for a minimally invasive diagnostic panel for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma.