MicroRNA signatures associated with basal cell carcinoma subtypes

In summary, we have validated differential expression of several miRs, namely two that are downregulated in all BCC subtypes compared to control skin (miR.383.5p, miR.145.5p), two that are downregulated in superficial BCC (miR.181c.5p, miR.181b.5p) relative to nodular and infiltrative BCC, and several that are upregulated in infiltrative BCC relative to superficial BCC (miR.22.5p, miR.18a.3p, miR.708.5p, miR.758.3p, miR.30c.5p), and two that are upregulated in infiltrative BCC relative to nodular BCC (miR.22.5p, miR.758.3p). To our knowledge, this study has investigated and validated the largest number of BCC tumors representing the different subtypes. Tumors were identified in the University of Utah Dermatopathology (PowerPath®) database and corresponding H&E-stained slides were reviewed by a dermatopathologist (S.R.F.) to confirm diagnosis and tumors were selected that constituted >80% of the tissue specimen. Sections (20 mm) were cut, dried on glass slides, and then scraped into microfuge tubes. Whole RNA was isolated using a RecoverAll kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, AM1975), quantitated by ScreenTape Assay (Agilent), converted to cDNA (Qiagen QIAseq miRNA Library Prep) for miRNA sequencing.