title: Decreased expression and clinical significance of miR-148a in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aberrant expression of microRNA-148a (miR-148a) has been reported in several types of malignancies. However, its expression and clinicopathological significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been entirely clarified. Our objective was to investigate the clinicopathological contribution of the miR-148a expression in HCC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine HCC and their para-cancerous liver tissues were recruited. Total mRNA including miRNA was isolated and miR-148a expression was determined by using real time RT-qPCR. Furthermore, the relationship between the miR-148a level and clinicopathological features was explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower miR-148a expression in HCC tissues was observed than that in adjacent noncancerous hepatic tissues. miR-148a expression was also correlated to clinical TNM stage, metastasis, status of capsular infiltration and numbers of tumor nodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Underexpression of miR-148a might be associated with HCC tumorigenesis and deterioration of HCC. miR-148a might act as a suppressor miRNA of HCC and it therefore has a potential role in prognosis of HCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. 67666795@qq.com.
authors.forename: Linjiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. huangsuning2000@163.com.
authors.forename: Suning
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. 254199854@qq.com.
authors.forename: Rongquan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. tourtair@163.com.
authors.forename: Minhua
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. dangyiwu@126.com.
authors.forename: Yiwu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China. chen_gang_triones@163.com.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C550570:MIRN148 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger