Cracking it - successful mRNA extraction for digital gene expression analysis from decalcified, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded bone tissue

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 16;16(9):e0257416. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257416. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

With the advance of precision medicine, the availability of tumor tissue for molecular analysis has become a limiting factor. This is particularly the case for bone metastases which are frequently occurring in cancer types such as prostate cancer. Due to the necessary decalcification process it was long thought that transcriptome analysis will not be feasible from decalcified formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (DFFPE) in a large manner. Here we demonstrate that mRNA extraction from DFFPE is feasible, quick, robust and reproducible and that decalcification does not hamper subsequent gene expression analysis. This might assist in implementing transcriptome analysis from DFFPE into every day practice.

MeSH terms

  • Bone and Bones / metabolism*
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Decalcification Technique
  • Formaldehyde / chemistry
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Humans
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcriptome*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Formaldehyde

Grants and funding

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.