Objective: To dissect the aberrant microRNA profile of oral lichenoid disorders (OLD) by analyzing the larger set of OLD samples tested so far.
Materials and methods: MicroRNA expression profiles were assessed using TLDA card in 32 samples (16 OLD, 8 OSCC, and 8 control). The findings were validated using RT-qPCR in an independent cohort of 91 samples.
Results: We identified 20 differentially expressed microRNAs in OLD, of which several are functionally related to cell proliferation, response to organic substances, or immune processes. Further validation of the top-ranked microRNAs revealed that they were all aberrantly expressed in OLD.
Conclusion: We have identified a new microRNA signature associated with OLD that may provide a meaningful basis for better understanding the physiopathology of the disease. In addition, we validated seven microRNAs whose expression was shown to be higher in OLD tissue in comparison with the control and OSCC tissues.
Keywords: microRNA; oral cancer; oral lichenoid disorders.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.