title: Expression and Tissue Distribution of MicroRNA-21 in Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues>.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  miR-21 is a common OncomiR in human cancer. The present study analyzed the distribution and expression of miR-21 in breast tumor tissues so as to examine the role of miR-21 in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen malignant and 10 benign breast tissue specimens were analyzed using a miRNA chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) assay. The locations of miR-21 CISH-positive cells in breast tissues were observed and its expression level was semi-quantified by ISH scoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive in situ staining of miR-21 was detected in the cytoplasm of malignant epithelial cells in most of the high-grade infiltrating ductal carcinoma specimens. miR-21-positive spindle-like cells were found to surround tumor cell islands. High miR-21 ISH scores were correlated with positive lymph node status. miR-21 expression was low in most types of benign breast tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  miR-21 is a potential biomarker for breast cancer prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A. Department of Cytology, Samaritan Hospital, Troy, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hug
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Samaritan Hospital, Troy, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eldeiry
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.affiliation: The Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Shaker
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, U.S.A. Binshan.Shi@acphs.edu.
authors.forename: Binshan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: breast cancer; chromogenic in situ hybridization; miR-21