MicroRNA expression profile in the diagnostic substrate of primary cutaneous T cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

I n t r o d u c t i o n . Primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogeneous group of extranodal nonHodgkin’s lymphomas that are locally limited to the skin at diagnosis. The diagnosis of CTCL is often diffi  cult, since at certain stages of development, this hematological malignancy has clinical similarities with non-neoplastic dermatological diseases such as chronic eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen ruber, or fungal infections. Both genetic and epigenetic factors, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), are involved in the pathogenesis of CTCL.

A i m . To identify the miRNAs that diff erentiate CTCL from benign skin lesions (BSL) and determine their role in genetic pathways involved in the development of CTCL.

M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . Real-time reverse transcription PCR was used to analyze the expression levels of miRNA-181a, -155, -574, -148b, -191, -26a, -21, -124, -221, -200b, -20a, -92a, -145, let-7a, and let-7d in 5 formalin-fi xed paraffi  n-embedded skin biopsy samples from patients with CTCL and 20 skin biopsy samples from patients with psoriasis (control group).

R e s u l t s . Comparative analysis of miRNA expression levels between CTCL and BSL samples showed a statistically signifi cant increase in the levels of miRNA-181a, -155, -574, -148b and -191 in tumor samples (p < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that miRNA-155 and miRNA-181a are highly sensitive and specifi c markers for the diagnosis of CTCL.

C o n c l u s i o n . Analysis of miRNA expression levels may be a promising tool for the diff erential diagnosis between dermatotropic lymphoid hematological malignancies and non-hematological skin diseases. 

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