The MicroRNA Spectrum in 12 Body Fluids
Jessica A. Weber, David Baxter, Shile Zhang, David Huang, Kuo‐How Huang, Ming‐Jen Lee +2 more
Clinical Chemistry
Abstract
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play an important role in regulating various biological processes through their interaction with cellular messenger RNAs. Extracellular miRNAs in serum, plasma, saliva, and urine have recently been shown to be associated with various pathological conditions including cancer. METHODS: With the goal of assessing the distribution of miRNAs and demonstrating the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers, we examined the presence of miRNAs in 12 human body fluids and urine samples from women in different stages of pregnancy or patients with different urothelial cancers. Using quantitative PCR, we conducted a global survey of the miRNA distribution in these fluids. RESULTS: miRNAs were present in all fluids tested and showed distinct comp