Expression of microRNA 205 3p and 205 5p in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in the Egyptian population: a pilot case–control study

Abstract

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). microRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded post-transcriptional regulatory RNAs that are known to play significant roles in cell development, differentiation, and cancer development. miR-205 has been found to be dysregulated in some tumors in humans.Objective To assess the tissue expression of miR-205 3p and 5p, as oncogenes, in BCC and SCC.Patients and Methods This case-control study included 21 patients with BCC, 21 patients with SCC and 21 healthy controls. Tissue expressions of miR-205 3p and 5p were evaluated using Real Time PCR technique.Results Tissue expressions of miR-205 3p and 5p were significantly higher in BCC and SCC compared to controls with a significantly higher expression of miR-205 3p than the 5p arm in both BCC and SCC. Moreover, the expressions of both arms were significantly higher in SCC compared to BCC.Conclusion miR-205 3p and 5p seemed to have an oncogenic effect in BCC and SCC with the 3p arm contributing more to this oncogenic effect. This oncogenic effect could be through miR-205 3p and 5p targeting and inhibiting tumor suppressor proteins in skin cells.