Gene expression signatures for auricular cartilages of microtia patients and controls. Gene expression signatures for auricular cartilages of microtia patients and controls

To explore the coding and non-coding gene expression in the auricular cartilage of microtia patients, we have employed RNA microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify the coding and non-coding genes differentially expressed in microtia patients and controls. The discarded auricular cartilage tissue from 10 unilateral Grade III isolated microtia patients during auricular reconstruction surgery and 5 volunteers without ear malformation or other physical abnormalities during tympanoplasty surgery were collected. All fresh tissues were harvested from the tragus and cavum conchae of the auricle. Overall design: The RNA expression in auricular cartilage tissue was measured by microarray. One independent experiment was performed on each clinical sample.