Circulating miRNA profile of MMTV-NeuT mouse model of spontaneous mammary carcinogenesis.

We investigated, in a spontaneous mouse model of breast carcinogenesis (MMTV/NeuT), the modifications in the level of circulating miRNAs during different stages of disease, from early dysplastic stage to overt carcinoma, and their correlation with the pathological stage of the primary mammary lesions. MMTV-NeuT transgenic females, and age-matched non transgenic siblings, were sacrified at 6,12 and 24 weeks of age. 500 ul of blood was collected by intracardiac puncture with 20 ul of EDTA 0.5 M pH 8.0 and processed for the plasma separation within 2 hours.