title: Expression Profile of MicroRNA-203 and its ΔNp63 Target in Cervical Carcinogenesis: Prospects for Cervical Cancer Screening.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Host molecules disturbed by human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins have been shown to be potential biomarkers of cervical carcinogenesis and represent an alternative or supplementary aid to cytological testing and HPV detection. The miR-203 and one of its targets, ΔNp63, are known to be host molecules that interact with each other to control the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes; both have been found to be dysregulated in many cancers. As the role of p63 and miR-203 in cervical carcinogenesis is not yet well-understood, we have, thus, decided to evaluate the changes of expression of both in cervical carcinogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out by obtaining quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) data from cervical biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  miR-203 and ΔNp63 displayed a similar expression pattern across cervical tissues and both targets showed statistically significant differences between low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) x high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL); HSIL x Cancer. Additionally, we did not observe an inverse correlation between ΔNp63 mRNA and miR-203 levels as expected but, rather, a positive correlation between cervical tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although preliminary, the expression levels of ΔNp63 mRNA and miR-203 seem to be promising for cervical cancer screening. In addition, positive correlation between miR-203 and ΔNp63 expression suggests the possible existence of some indirect pathways. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of ΔNp63 and miR-203 in cervical carcinogenesis and, thus, determine how they can be applied in new strategies for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences Institute (ICB), University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil elianeccoimbra@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eliane Campos
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DA Conceição Gomes Leitão
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marconi Rego Barros
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Talita Helena Araújo
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: DE Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cytological Research Laboratory, Department of Histology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacinto
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DA Costa Silva Neto
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: DE Freitas
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D065310:Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C081876:CKAP4 protein, human; C546703:MIRN203 microRNA, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: biomarker; cervical carcinogenesis; miR-203; ΔNp63