Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia.
Department for Metabolism, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia.
Genes (Basel). 2022 Dec 9;13(12):2320. doi: 10.3390/genes13122320.
MiR-21 and miR-375 have been reported as dysregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) in multiple previous studies. Still, variable or even opposing data for the expression of these microRNAs in PCa were found, and their potential biomarker properties remain elusive. In an attempt to clarify their significance as PCa biomarkers, as well as to compare different types of specimens as a source of relevant microRNAs, we used plasma and matching plasma-derived exosomes from patients with PCa and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Plasma and exosomes were obtained from 34 patients with PCa and 34 patients with BPH, and their levels of expression of miR-21 and miR-375 were determined by RT-qPCR. We found no significant difference in the level of expression of these microRNAs in plasma and exosomes between patients with PCa and BPH. The level of exosomal miR-21 was elevated in PCa patients with high serum PSA values, as well as in patients with aggressive PCa, while for plasma samples, the results remained insignificant. For miR-375, we did not find an association with the values of standard prognostic parameters of PCa, nor with cancer aggressiveness. Therefore, our results support the potential prognostic role of exosomal miR-21 expression levels in PCa.
miR-21 和 miR-375 在多项先前的研究中被报道在前列腺癌（PCa）中失调。然而，这些 microRNAs 在 PCa 中的表达存在可变甚至相反的数据，它们作为潜在的生物标志物的特性仍然难以捉摸。为了阐明它们作为 PCa 生物标志物的意义，并比较不同类型的标本作为相关 microRNAs 的来源，我们使用了来自 PCa 患者和良性前列腺增生（BPH）患者的血浆和匹配的血浆衍生外泌体。从 34 名 PCa 患者和 34 名 BPH 患者中获得血浆和外泌体，并通过 RT-qPCR 确定它们中 miR-21 和 miR-375 的表达水平。我们发现 PCa 患者和 BPH 患者的血浆和外泌体中这些 microRNAs 的表达水平没有显著差异。高血清 PSA 值的 PCa 患者和侵袭性 PCa 患者的外泌体 miR-21 水平升高，而对于血浆样本，结果仍然没有意义。对于 miR-375，我们没有发现与 PCa 的标准预后参数值或癌症侵袭性之间存在关联。因此，我们的结果支持外泌体 miR-21 表达水平在 PCa 中的潜在预后作用。
