采用非标记microRNA芯片筛选早产胎盘差异表达microRNA

目的应用非标记microRNA芯片筛选在早产胎盘组织中差异表达的miRNA,并分析其相关的靶基因。方法收集早产儿16例为病例组,同期健康足月产儿18例为对照组,取胎盘组织。通过非标记miRNA芯片技术构建早产胎盘组织miRNA表达谱,采用荧光实时定量PCR进行验证,并分析差异表达miRNAs的靶基因。结果 miRNA芯片结果显示44种miRNAs在早产胎盘组织和对照组胎盘组织中差异表达,其中下调表达的11种,上调表达的33种,荧光实时定量PCR验证出miR-493-3p显著下调,mi R-4632-5p显著上调,与芯片结果一致。经软件分析,miRNA靶基因有IL16、SH2D2A、CCNG2、PHB、WNT1、CCDC92、GIT1和ST7L等相关靶基因。结论早产胎盘组织中存在差异表达的miRNAs,提示这些差异表达的miRNAs在早产的发生中有重要的调控作用。     

慢性神经病理性疼痛对大鼠脊髓背角miRNA表达的影响

目的 筛选慢性神经病理性疼痛大鼠脊髓背角差异表达的miRNA,并预测其调控的靶基因.方法 建立大鼠坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤CCI模型,在术后疼痛高峰期取腰膨大脊髓背角,用miRNA芯片筛选CCI大鼠差异表达的miRNAs,再用荧光实时定量RT-PCR验证差异表达的miRNAs,并利用MIRANDA、TARGETSCAN、PICTAR 3个数据库找出这些miRNA可能调控的靶基因.结果 CCI大鼠表达上调的有miR-99b,表达下调的有miR-674-3p、miR-879与miR-325-5p.RT-qPCR验证结果与芯片基本相符.预测这些miRNA可能的靶基因约26个,这些基因功能广泛.结论 慢性神经病理性疼痛可导致miRNA的表达发生变化,这些miRNA及其调控的靶基因为进一步研究奠定了基础.     

基于肿瘤组织与血清miRNA表达数据的肝癌诊断模型构建

目的 探究肝癌患者组织及血清中共同差异表达的miRNA,构建肝癌诊断模型.方法 从美国国立生物技术信息中心数据库(Gene Expression Omnibus)下载芯片数据,从癌症基因组图谱(The Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA)下载肝癌及正常样本的miRNA表达数据和mRNA表达数据,利用R软件进行差异分析;LASSO-logistic回归分析构建肝癌miRNA诊断模型;ROC曲线评价模型的预测效果;最后在40例肝癌患者及40例健康者血清中通过实时定量荧光PCR检测关键差异miRNA的表达.结果 共筛选出36个同时在肝癌患者组织及肿瘤血清中均差异表达的miRNA,包括31个上调miRNA和5个下调miRNA.GO分析显示差异miRNA主要富集在胞质、胞核区域,参与包括转录因子活性调节、γ-干扰素等多种信号通路的转导.进一步经LASSO-logistic回归构建含有8个 miRNA(hsa-miR-139-3p、hsa-miR-10b-5p、hsa-miR-500a-3p、hsa-miR-224-5p、hsa-miR-532-5p、hsa-miR-103a-3p、hsa-let-7c-3p、hsa-miR-30c-1-3p)的诊断模型,ROC曲线显示该诊断模型在训练集、测试集以及GSE112264及GSE113486数据集中曲线下面积分别为0.992、0.997、0.953、0.916.收集临床样本检测得到肝癌患者组血清中关键差异miRNA的表达显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 由8个同时在肝癌患者血清及肿瘤组织中均差异表达的miRNA构成的诊断模型在鉴定肝癌与正常样本中具有良好的区分效果,对于肝癌患者的早期诊断提供借鉴意义.     

miR-33b和高迁移率族蛋白A2(HMGA2)在食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及意义

目的研究miR-33b与高迁移率族蛋白A2(HMGA2)在食管鳞状细胞癌(ESCC)中的表达及意义。方法在ESCC组织及癌旁组织中采用茎环结构的逆转录实时定量PCR检测miR-33b的表达情况,实时荧光定量PCR检测HMGA2 mRNA的水平,免疫组织化学SP法检测HMGA2蛋白表达;将miR-33b模拟物、miR-33b抑制物、对照转染入TE-1细胞和Eca-109细胞;采用茎环结构的逆转录实时定量PCR法检测各组miR-33b的水平;实时荧光定量PCR、Western blot法分别检测各组HMGA2mRNA和蛋白的水平。结果在40例ESCC组织中,miR-33 b mRNA的表达量显著低于癌旁正常组织;HMGA2 mRNA的表达量显著高于癌旁正常组织;HMGA2蛋白在ESCC组织中的阳性率显著高于癌旁组织;HMGA2蛋白阳性表达组的miR-33b的表达量低于HMGA2阴性组;相关性分析显示miR-33b和HMGA2的mRNA在ESCC组织中的表达呈负相关。在转染miR-33b模拟物、miR-33b抑制物转染的食管癌细胞中,转染各组间HMGA2 mRNA水平无显著差异;在miR-33b过表达的细胞中HMGA2蛋白水平明显降低。结论 ESCC组织中miR-33b表达下调,HMGA2表达上调;增加食管癌细胞中miR-33b的表达能抑制HMGA2的蛋白表达水平,但HMGA2 mRNA水平不受影响,提示miR-33 b可能在转录后水平调控HMGA2蛋白的表达。     

ERα和ERβ在正常子宫内膜、异常增生子宫内膜和子宫内膜癌组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨雌激素受体（ER）亚型α和β mRNA及蛋白的异常表达与子宫内膜癌的发生发展的关系。方法应用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）和免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化酶连接法（SP法）,检测18例正常子宫内膜组织、29例异常增生组织和50例子宫内膜癌组织中ERα、ERβ mRNA及蛋白的表达。结果①ERα mRNA在内膜癌组织中的阳性表达率和阳性表达水平明显低于异常增生内膜组织及正常内膜组织,三者比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）,ERα蛋白在这三组间的表达率变化相同（P〈0．05）。②ERβ mRNA在内膜癌组织中的阳性表达率和阳性表达水平明显低于增生性内膜组织及正常内膜组织,三者比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）,ERβ蛋白在这三组间的表达率变化相同（P〈0．01）。③ERα和ERβ mRNA平均表达水平比值（ERα／ERβ）在内膜癌组低于异常增生子宫内膜组织和正常子宫内膜组（P〈0．05）。结论ERα和ERβ表达的下调可能与子宫内膜癌的发生有关,在这个过程中ERα的下调起的作用大于ERβ。     

胃癌组织microRNA表达谱检测及生物信息学分析

目的探讨微小RNA(microRNA,miRNA)在胃癌组织中的表达特征。方法采用Exiqon miRNA芯片检测3对胃癌组织及其配对正常胃黏膜组织中miRNA差异表达情况,随机选取10个上调或下调差异表达的miRNA应用qPCR技术验证;应用生物信息学分析差异表达的miRNA及其靶向基因在胃癌发生、发展中的作用。结果芯片结果显示,在3对胃癌组织中有111个miRNA出现差异表达(差异倍数2,P0.05),其中上调表达95个,下调表达16个。进一步行qPCR验证的10个miRNA的表达情况与miRNA芯片结果一致(P=0.040)。聚类分析显示胃癌组织与癌旁组织存在明显的差异表达,基因本体(gene ontology,GO)及pathway分析显示差异表达的miRNA涉及胃癌的凋亡、周期转换、分化、侵袭、转移及各种肿瘤通路的激活等。结论胃癌组织中miRNA存在异常表达,可能涉及胃癌的发生、发展。     

胃癌组织中microRNA的差异表达

目的 检测胃癌组织和癌旁组织中microRNA (miRNA)的差异表达.方法 收集经病理确诊为胃癌进行外科手术切除的25例患者的胃癌组织及距离胃癌病灶5 cm以上的癌旁组织,选取其中7例标本提取总RNA,应用Illumina miRNA芯片检测胃癌和癌旁组织中差异表达的miRNA.应用定量实时PCR技术验证25例胃癌和癌旁组织标本中差异表达的miRNA,并分析25例患者的临床病理与胃癌组织中miRNA差异表达的关联.结果 Illumina miRNA芯片检测显示,HS-138,HS-153,HS-157在胃癌组织中表达下调,miR-181a,miR-21,miR-21*,miR-27a,miR-584,miR-93在胃癌组织中表达上调.定量实时PCR显示,与癌旁组织比较,胃癌组织中miR-181a表达上调(56.848±135.551比3.950±12.101,P＜0.05),而miR-584在胃癌和癌旁组织中的表达差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).胃癌组织miR-181a表达与患者胃癌淋巴结转移及年龄有关联(rp=0.462、0.414,P=0.009、0.023),与性别和病理分型无关联(P=0.220、0.106).结论 应用miRNA芯片技术和荧光定量PCR技术发现了胃癌组织中差异表达的miRNA.     

心房颤动患者心房组织中差异表达miRNA的初步研究

目的：应用基因芯片技术研究心房颤动（房颤）患者心房组织中miRNA的表达谱,分析差异表达的miRNA,为进一步研究miRNA在房颤发生、发展中的作用奠定基础。方法：采用miRNA基因芯片技术检测房颤患者和非房颤患者心房组织样本中miRNA的表达水平;采用实时定量PcR（quantitativereal,timePCR,qRT．PCR）对部分差异表达的miRNA进行验证。结果：MiRNA基因芯片分析结果显示,与非房颤组织相比,房颤组织中差异表达的miRNA共有26个,其中16AmiRNA表达上调,10个miRNA表达下调。qRT．PCR验证结果与芯片结果相一致。结论：MiRNA在房颤患者心房组织中存在差异性表达。     

新疆地区维吾尔族人群高血压患者microRNA表达谱分析

目的筛选新疆地区维吾尔族人群原发性高血压(EH)患者与健康者血浆中microRNA差异表达谱,为进一步探究microRNA与新疆维吾尔族人群原发性高血压发病的关系提供依据。方法选取4例维吾尔族原发性高血压患者和4名维吾尔族健康人的全血,用Agilent Human miRNA芯片检测血浆microRNA表达谱。对差异表达的microRNA进行聚类分析、靶基因预测、靶基因注释等生物信息学分析。另外选取独立验证样本(15例维吾尔族原发性高血压患者及15名维吾尔族健康人),对差异表达的microRNA进行q PCR验证。结果实验组与对照组相比,筛选获得257个差异表达microRNA,其中161个上调表达,97下调表达。通过Target Scan、PITA、microRNAorg数据库对差异表达microRNA进行靶基因预测,对3个数据库预测到的靶基因取交集,获得6 580个microRNA调控的靶基因系。最终筛选得到表达上调最多和下调最多的两个microRNA,hsa-miR-1183和hsa-miR-30e-5p。结论原发性高血压患者有着独特的microRNA表达谱,筛选获得的差异表达microRNA,可能是原发性高血压早期诊断的生物标志物和潜在的治疗靶点,同时对于后续研究原发性高血压的发病机制具有提示作用。     

T淋巴细胞活化相关的microRNA的筛选、靶分子的预测、构建和鉴定

目的: 筛选T细胞活化相关的microRNA并预测其靶分子,通过双荧光素酶实验鉴定这些microRNA的靶分子方法: 利用Exiqon miRNA基因表达谱芯片,以活化的Jurkat细胞(用CD3抗体和CD28抗体双信号活化)为实验组,未活化Jurkat细胞为对照组,分析了二者miRNA表达谱的差异,找出表达水平显著改变的miRNA,并通过实时定量PCR的方法对芯片结果进行验证;构建miRNA的真核表达载体;利用生物信息学方法预测miRNA的靶分子,构建含靶分子3′UTR的荧光素酶报告基因质粒;分别将miRNA基因真核表达质粒与含有靶分子的荧光素酶报告基因质粒共转染HEK293细胞,进行荧光素酶实验来鉴定miRNA的靶分子结果: Exiqon miRNA基因表达谱芯片显示: Jurkat细胞活化后,miR-202*、 miR-33b、 miR-568和miR-576的表达明显下调;实时定量PCR验证结果与芯片结果一致;酶切鉴定与序列测定证实miR-568的真核表达载体构建成功;利用miRanda软件预测miR-568的靶分子,筛选出与T细胞活化密切相关的分子;双荧光素酶实验显示miR-568对NFAT5有比较明显的抑制作用结论: T细胞活化后,miR-202*、 miR-33b、 miR-568和miR-576表达明显下调;NFAT5可能是miR-568作用的一个靶分子     

Ad-14-3-3σ对不同辐射抗拒的鼻咽癌细胞微小RNA表达的影响

目的： 在明确Ad-14-3-3σ对不同辐射抗拒鼻咽癌（nasopharygycarcinoma, NPC）细胞CNE-1和CNE-2治疗作用的基础上，检测Ad-14-3-3σ对CNE-1和CNE-2细胞中差异表达的微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA)的影响，探索CNE-1和CNE-2细胞中miRNA差异表达与NPC放射敏感性差异的关系。方法: 用Ad-14-3-3σ转染CNE-1和CNE-2细胞；采用Paraflo microfluidic microRNA芯片检测，用激光扫描器收集杂交的图像，经LOWESS滤器规范信号后分析数据差异，根据Targetscan3.1数据库资料（http://www.targetscan.org）探索Ad-14-3-3σ对CNE-1和CNE-2中的miRNA差异表达的影响，预测其差异表达与NPC放射敏感性差异的关系。结果: Ad-14-3-3σ处理细胞以后，CNE-1与CNE-2相比较，有37个microRNA有明显差异，CNE-1中有17个上调，20个下调。其中倍数变化在3倍以上且2者检测量数量差异达到1 000以上的有6个:hsa-miR-152、hsa-miR-205、 hsa-miR-203、 hsa-miR-7、hsa-miR-636和hsa-miR-100。结论: Ad-14-3-3σ能够改变微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA)在CNE-1和CNE-2中的表达模式，缩小CNE-1和CNE-2之间miRNA的表达差异，而这些miRNA可能跟肿瘤的发生和放疗敏感性有关。     

不同辐射抗拒鼻咽癌细胞微小RNA差异表达的研究

目的: 在验证鼻咽癌（nasopharygycarcinoma, NPC）细胞CNE-1和CNE-2不同辐射抗拒性的基础上，探索微小RNA(miRNA)在CNE-1和CNE-2中的表达差异。方法: 通过观察X线照射对CNE-1和 CNE-2 细胞克隆形成数目的影响，利用SigmaPlot 软件进行分析及线性二次模型拟合存活曲线, 比较CNE-1和CNE-2 细胞剂量存活曲线及其生物学参数；采用Paraflo microfluidic microRNA芯片检测，用激光扫描器收集杂交的图像，经LOWESS 滤器规范信号后分析数据差异,根据Targetscan3.1数据库资料 (http:∥www.targetscan.org)，预测CNE-1和CNE-2细胞microRNA差异表达与NPC放射敏感性差异的关系。结果: 发现在CNE-1和CNE-2细胞中miRNA的差异表达，即与CNE-2细胞比，在检测的326个microRNA中，CNE-1细胞中有20个miRNA上调，13个miRNA下调，其中检测量的绝对值在2 000以上且两者相差在3倍以上的miRNA有hsa-miR-152、hsa-miR-7、hsa-miR-205和hsa-miR-572；分析结果提示明显差异表达的miRNA与放疗敏感性密切相关。结论: 不同辐射抗拒NPC细胞株CNE-1和CNE-2细胞的microRNA的表达有差异；差异表达的miRNA与放疗敏感有关。     

Differential microRNA expression in the serum of patients with nephrotic syndrome and clinical correlation analysis

Many different microRNAs existed in nephrotic syndrome patients, and they may be involved in nephrotic syndrome occurrence. In order to further clarify miRNAs expression changes in nephrotic syndrome patients and their correlation with clinical features, this study investigated differential microRNA expression in the peripheral serum of patients with nephrotic syndrome and analyzed the correlation between miRNA with largest overexpression level and clinical features. miRNAs microarray was applied to screen different expressed miRNAs in nephrotic syndrome patients. Real-time PCR was performed to verify miRNA expression level. SPSS software was used to analyze correlation between miRNA expression and clinical features. Compared with healthy subjects, 35 miRNAs overexpressed and 24 miRNAs down-regulated in patients. After real-time PCR verification, 6 miRNAs up-regulated in nephrotic syndrome patients, including hsa-miR-181a, hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-30a, hsa-miR-942, hsa-miR-192 and hsa-miR-586. miRNA-30a significantly overexpressed in nephrotic syndrome patients and with no difference between genders. miRNA-30a expression level in drug resistant nephrotic syndrome patients was obviously higher than the drug sensitive patients. miRNA-30a up-regulated most significantly in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis among different pathology types, while it decreased most obviously in glomerular lesions. miRNA differently expressed in the serum of nephrotic syndrome patients. miRNA-30a could be treated as the molecular marker in predict drug resistance and pathological type of nephrotic syndrome.     

LMP1对鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1癌基因微小RNA表达谱的影响

目的:比较鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1与其EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)稳定转染细胞系CNE1-LMP1的癌基因微小RNA(oncomiRs)表达谱的差异,探讨LMP1对鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1 oncomiRs表达的影响。方法:采用包含132个oncomiRs分子的microRNA芯片分析CNE1与CNE1-LMP1的表达差异,并采用荧光定量PCR验证差异表达明显的oncomiRs分子。结果:二者共检出30个miRNA分子,CNE1中检出miRNA分子19个;其中11个为CNE1-LMP1特异性表达。在共同表达的19个miRNA分子中,在CNE1-LMP1中表达升高2倍以上的miRNA分子有6个:hsa-miR-19b、hsa-miR-17-3p、hsa-miR-22、hsa-miR-149、hsa-miR-150和hsa-miR-188。没有表达降低2倍以上的分子。在CNE1-LMP1特异性表达的11个miRNA中,hsa-miR-122a呈高水平表达,其表达水平超过内对照。通过荧光定量PCR验证6个差异分子的表达,发现改变倍数与芯片结果一致(P0.01)。结论:LMP1能影响oncomiRs表达谱,可能是LMP1作为病毒癌基因发挥作用的另一重要途径。     

相同遗传背景不同辐射抗拒鼻咽癌细胞miRNA差异表达的研究

目的:在验证相同遗传背景鼻咽癌(NPC)细胞CNE-2R和CNE-2不同辐射抗拒性的基础上,探索微小RNA(miRNA)在CNE-2R和CNE-2中的表达差异与肿瘤辐射抗拒的关系。方法:通过观察X线照射对CNE-2R和CNE-2细胞克隆形成数目的影响,利用SigmaPlot软件进行分析及线性二次模型拟合存活曲线,比较CNE-2R和CNE-2细胞剂量存活曲线及其生物学参数;采用μParafloTM微流体芯片检测,用激光扫描仪(GenePix 4000B, Molecular Device)采集杂交图像,经LOWESS滤器规范信号后分析数据差异,根据Targetscan311数据库资料(http://www.targetscan.org),预测CNE-2R和CNE-2细胞miRNA差异表达与NPC不同辐射抗拒的关系。结果:发现在CNE-2R和CNE-2细胞中存在miRNA的差异表达,即与CNE-2细胞比,在检测到的719个miRNA中,CNE-2R细胞中有37个上调,29个下调,其中检测量的绝对值≥2 000 且两者相差≥2倍的miRNA共12个：hsa-miR-200b、hsa-miR-224、hsa-miR-26b、hsa-miR-125a-5p、hsa-miR-205、hsa-let-7e、hsa-let-7g、hsa-miR-19b、hsa-miR-24、hsa-miR-103、hsa-miR-106b和hsa-miR-93。分析结果表明显著差异表达的miRNA与辐射抗拒密切相关。结论:相同遗传背景不同辐射抗拒NPC细胞株CNE-2R和CNE-2细胞的miRNA表达存在差异;差异表达的miRNA与辐射抗拒相关。     

MicroRNA expression differentiates between primary lung tumors and metastases to the lung

For surgical pathologists, distinguishing whether a pulmonary neoplasm is primary or metastatic can be challenging, and current biomarkers do not always aid lung tumor classification. The tissue-associated expression of microRNA likely explains the remarkable finding that many tumors can be classified based solely on their microRNA expression signature. Here we show that microRNAs can serve as biomarkers for lung tumor classification. Using microRNA microarray data generated from 76 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of either primary lung cancer or metastatic tumors to the lung, we have identified a set of microRNAs expressed differentially between these two groups. This set includes hsa-miR-182, which was most strongly over-expressed in the lung primary tumors, and hsa-miR-126, which was over-expressed in the metastatic tumors. The differential expression of this set of microRNAs was confirmed using qRT-PCR on a set of 54 samples. In light of our data, microRNA expression should be considered as a potential clinical biomarker for surgical pathologists faced with discerning the tumor type of an inscrutable lung neoplasm.     

MiR-92b and miR-9/9* are specifically expressed in brain primary tumors and can be used to differentiate primary from metastatic brain tumors

A recurring challenge for brain pathologists is to diagnose whether a brain malignancy is a primary tumor or a metastasis from some other tissue. The accurate diagnosis of brain malignancies is essential for selection of proper treatment. MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA species that regulate gene expression; many exhibit tissue-specific expression and are misregulated in cancer. Using microRNA expression profiling, we found that hsa-miR-92b and hsa-miR-9/hsa-miR-9* are over-expressed, specifically in brain primary tumors, as compared to primary tumors from other tissues and their metastases to the brain. By considering the expression of only these two microRNAs, it is possible to distinguish between primary and metastatic brain tumors with very high accuracy. These microRNAs thus represent excellent biomarkers for brain primary tumors. Previous reports have found that hsa-miR-92b and hsa-miR-9/hsa-miR-9* are expressed more strongly in developing neurons and brain than in adult brain. Thus, their specific over-expression in brain primary tumors supports a functional role for these microRNAs or a link between neuronal stem cells and brain tumorigenesis.     

Hsa-miR-375 is differentially expressed during breast lobular neoplasia and promotes loss of mammary acinar polarity

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast, characterized by loss of E-cadherin expression, accounts for 5-15% of invasive breast cancers and it is believed to arise via a linear histological progression. Genomic studies have identified a clonal relationship between ILC and concurrent lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) lesions, suggesting that LCIS may be a precursor lesion. It has been shown that an LCIS diagnosis confers a 15-20% risk of progression to ILC over a lifetime. Currently no molecular test or markers can identify LCIS lesions likely to progress to ILC. Since microRNA (miRNA) expression changes have been detected in a number of other cancer types, we explored whether their dysregulation might be detected during progression from LCIS to ILC. Using the Illumina miRNA profiling platform, designed for simultaneous analysis of 470 mature miRNAs, we analysed the profiles of archived normal breast epithelium, LCIS lesions found alone, LCIS lesions concurrent with ILC, and the concurrent ILCs as a model of linear histological progression towards ILC. We identified two sets of differentially expressed miRNAs, the first set highly expressed in normal epithelium, including hsa-miR-224, -139, -10b, -450, 140, and -365, and the second set up-regulated during lobular neoplasia progression, including hsa-miR-375, -203, -425-5p, -183, -565, and -182. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we validated a trend of increasing expression for hsa-miR-375, hsa-miR-182, and hsa-miR-183 correlating with ILC progression. As we detected increased expression of hsa-miR-375 in LCIS lesions synchronous with ILC, we sought to determine whether hsa-miR-375 might induce phenotypes reminiscent of lobular neoplasia by expressing it in the MCF-10A 3D culture model of mammary acinar morphogenesis. Increased expression of hsa-miR-375 resulted in loss of cellular organization and acquisition of a hyperplastic phenotype. These data suggest that dysregulated miRNA expression contributes to lobular neoplastic progression.     

Differential microRNA expression and identification of putative miRNA targets and pathways in head and neck cancers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that involved in various cancer-related cellular processes. Diverse studies on expression profiling of miRNAs have been performed and the data showed that some miRNAs are up-regulated or down-regulated in cancer. Until now, there are no data published on the miRNA expression in head and neck cancers from Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate potentially crucial miRNAs in head and neck cancer patients from Malaysian populations. A global miRNA profiling was performed on 12 samples of head and neck cancer tissue using microarray analysis followed by validation using real-time RT-PCR. Microarray analysis identified 10 miRNAs that could distinguish malignant head and neck cancer lesions from normal tissues; 7 miRNAs (hsa-miR-181a-2*, hsa-miR-29b-1*, hsa-miR-181a, hsa-miR-181b, hsa-miR-744, hsa-miR-1271 and hsa-miR-221*) were up-regulated while 3 miRNAs (hsa-miR-141, hsa-miR-95 and hsa-miR-101) were down-regulated. These miRNAs may contribute in a simple profiling strategy to identify individuals at higher risk of developing head and neck cancers, thus helping in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in head and neck cancer pathogenesis.