Linda Boldrup1, Philip J Coates2, Magnus Wahlgren3, Göran Laurell3, Karin Nylander1
1Department of Medical Biosciences/Pathology, Umeå University, SE- 901 85 Umeå, Sweden.
2Tayside Tissue Bank Division of Medical Sciences, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, United Kingdom.
3Clinical Sciences/ENT, Umeå University, SE – 901 85 Umeå, Sweden.
DOI:10.4103/1477-3163.104007
ABSTRACT
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules with an essential role in regulation of gene expression. miRNA expression profiles differ between tumor and normal control tissue in many types of cancers and miRNA profiling is seen as a promising field for finding new diagnostic and prognostic tools. Materials and Methods: In this study, we have analyzed expression of three miRNAs, miR-21, miR-125b, and miR-203, and their potential target proteins p53 and p63, known to be deregulated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), in two distinct and one mixed subsite in squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity. Results: We demonstrate that levels of miRNA differ between tumors of different subsites with tongue tumors showing significant deregulation of all three miRNAs, whereas gingival tumors only showed significant downregulation of miR-125b and the mixed group of tumors in tongue/floor of the mouth showed significant deregulation of miR-21 and miR-125b. In the whole group of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a significant negative correlation was seen between miR-125b and p53 as well as a significant correlation between TP53 mutation status and miR-125b. Conclusion: The present data once again emphasize the need to take subsite into consideration when analyzing oral SCC and clearly show that data from in vitro studies cannot be transferred directly to the in vivo situation.
Keywords: MicroRNA, oral squamous cell carcinoma, p53, p63.