Investigation of the Relationship Between Specific miRNAs and E-cadherin/Vimentin Expression in Exhaled Breath Condensate Samples of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cases
Project no. 32511 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2024
Summary
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sampling is a valid, non-invasive, and repeatable biopsy method in the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Alterations in the expression levels of certain miRNA families have been observed in NSCLC, and their interactions with E-cadherin and vimentin are considered significant. This study aimed to investigate the expression profiles of E-cadherin, vimentin, and selected miRNAs (miRNA-34a, miRNA-374a, miRNA-27, miRNA-503, miRNA-1271, miRNA-10b, miRNA-346, miRNA-23a, miRNA-30a, miRNA-193a) in EBC and plasma samples obtained from 40 advanced-stage NSCLC patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Total RNA was isolated from EBC and plasma samples, and following cDNA synthesis, miRNA expression levels were determined by RT-qPCR. E-cadherin and vimentin levels were measured using the ELISA method, and data were analyzed statistically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was 63.03±10.72 years in the NSCLC group and 49.1±16.77 years in the control group. No significant differences were found between patient and control groups in terms of vimentin and E-cadherin levels in EBC samples. However, plasma samples revealed significantly lower vimentin and E-cadherin levels in NSCLC patients compared to controls. In EBC samples, the expression levels of hsa-miR-23a, hsa-miR-346, hsa-miR-27b, hsa-miR-34a, hsa-miR-30a, hsa-miR-193b, hsa-miR-1271, hsa-miR-10b, and hsa-miR-503 were significantly higher in NSCLC patients. In plasma samples, hsa-miR-1271, hsa-miR-503, hsa-miR-346, hsa-miR-27b, and hsa-miR-34a levels were elevated, whereas hsa-miR-10b was not detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EBC sampling represents a promising, non-invasive approach for early diagnosis of NSCLC. The miRNAs with high expression levels in EBC may serve as potential biomarkers, although further studies are required to elucidate their relationship with E-cadherin, vimentin, and NSCLC.</p>