ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze miR-10b expression level and the gene upstream methylation level in schwannomas so as to explore and identify the potential target genes for miR-10b in schwannomas .Methods The miR-10b with its potential target genes including HOXB 3 ,HOXD10 ,PTEN ,PIK3CA ,MAPRE1 and HADC4 were quantitatively analyzed by PCR in 13 cases of schwannomas and 6 cases of human vestibulocochlear nerves . We studied the correlation between the differentially expressed genes and the clinical characteristics of schwannomas . Finally ,the differences in miR-10b gene upstream methylation levels were measured and analyzed by pyrosequencing between schwannomas and normal vestibulocochlear nerves .Results Compared with that of normal nerves ,the expression level of miR-10b was significantly higher (P=0 .0003) while the level of PTEN was lower (P=0 .0047) in schwannomas .Negative correlation existed between the levels of miR-10b and PTEN (P=0 .001 , r= -0 .689) . Moreover ,the methylation level of the miR-10b gene promoter was downregulated in schwannomas ;it had negative correlation with the expression level of miR-10b (P= 0 .011 , r= -0 .571) .There was a significant difference in tumor mass diameter between miR-10b higher expression group and lower group (P=0 .016);however ,there was no difference in age or recurrence rate (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The downregulation of methylation level of the promoter leads to higher expression of miR-10b gene ,and it may targetedly inhibit the expression of PTEN .