Microarray analysis of microRNA expression in renal clear cell carcinoma

Aim

To explore the microRNA (miRNA) expression in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC).

Methods

We compared the miRNA expression profiles in 11 pairs of RCCC and adjacent nontumorous tissue (NT) from 11 RCCC patients, using a mammalian miRNA microarray containing whole human mature and precursor miRNA sequences. To verify microarray results, Northern blotting was carried out on 5 randomly selected miRNAs.

Results

Totally 81 miRNAs were identified valid expression in RCCC samples, 48 of which specifically detected in RCCC samples, 17 of which detected downregulated in RCCC compared to NT sample, 2 upregulated and 14 without significant difference. MiRNAs in RCCC tissues exhibit an overall higher expression level than NT tissue. The chip results were confirmed by northern blot analysis.

Conclusion

Our study may help to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of RCCC, and miRNAs potentially serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker of RCCC.