Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics

Since microRNAs are released into the bloodstream and miRNA profiles are supposed to differ between healthy and tumour patients, miRNAs seem to have potential as biomarkers. An essential prerequisite for biomarkers in a routine diagnostic setup is their stability in serum over time. In this study, s...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Kehl, Ruth Klein, Katja Steiger, Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/390
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author Alexandra Kehl
Ruth Klein
Katja Steiger
Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
author_facet Alexandra Kehl
Ruth Klein
Katja Steiger
Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
author_sort Alexandra Kehl
collection DOAJ
description Since microRNAs are released into the bloodstream and miRNA profiles are supposed to differ between healthy and tumour patients, miRNAs seem to have potential as biomarkers. An essential prerequisite for biomarkers in a routine diagnostic setup is their stability in serum over time. In this study, serum samples from 10 healthy dogs were analysed at different time points and under various temperature conditions (after 24 and 48 h, at 4° or 20 °C) for the copy number of eight miRNAs (miR-20b, 21, 122, 126, 192, 214, 222, 494) using ddPCR. The miR-21 had the highest copy number, whereas miR-494 had the lowest copy number in canine blood samples. The values of each miRNA varied individually between the dogs, showing a 5 to 10-fold range. Stability differed between the miRNAs, with miR-192 having the best stability. The copy number of miR-20b, miR-126 and miR-214 decreased not significantly during 48 h storage time. In contrast, miR-21, miR-122 and miR-222 were stable for 24 h only but decreased significantly after 48 h. The (in)stability of individual canine miRNAs must be considered when transferring study results into veterinary routine diagnostics, as the transport and storage conditions are variable. As far as possible, standardisation of sampling, storage and quantification of miRNAs is needed.
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spelling doaj-art-a73b04e5d2bf4aa6ab3eb9b21b5b9f2b2025-08-20T02:25:07ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-04-0112439010.3390/vetsci12040390Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour DiagnosticsAlexandra Kehl0Ruth Klein1Katja Steiger2Heike Aupperle-Lellbach3Laboklin GmbH&Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, GermanyLaboklin GmbH&Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, GermanySchool of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, GermanyLaboklin GmbH&Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, GermanySince microRNAs are released into the bloodstream and miRNA profiles are supposed to differ between healthy and tumour patients, miRNAs seem to have potential as biomarkers. An essential prerequisite for biomarkers in a routine diagnostic setup is their stability in serum over time. In this study, serum samples from 10 healthy dogs were analysed at different time points and under various temperature conditions (after 24 and 48 h, at 4° or 20 °C) for the copy number of eight miRNAs (miR-20b, 21, 122, 126, 192, 214, 222, 494) using ddPCR. The miR-21 had the highest copy number, whereas miR-494 had the lowest copy number in canine blood samples. The values of each miRNA varied individually between the dogs, showing a 5 to 10-fold range. Stability differed between the miRNAs, with miR-192 having the best stability. The copy number of miR-20b, miR-126 and miR-214 decreased not significantly during 48 h storage time. In contrast, miR-21, miR-122 and miR-222 were stable for 24 h only but decreased significantly after 48 h. The (in)stability of individual canine miRNAs must be considered when transferring study results into veterinary routine diagnostics, as the transport and storage conditions are variable. As far as possible, standardisation of sampling, storage and quantification of miRNAs is needed.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/390circulating miRNAliquid biopsycaninecancer
spellingShingle Alexandra Kehl
Ruth Klein
Katja Steiger
Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
Veterinary Sciences
circulating miRNA
liquid biopsy
canine
cancer
title Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
title_full Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
title_fullStr Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
title_full_unstemmed Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
title_short Stability of microRNAs in Canine Serum—A Prerequisite for Use as Biomarkers in Tumour Diagnostics
title_sort stability of micrornas in canine serum a prerequisite for use as biomarkers in tumour diagnostics
topic circulating miRNA
liquid biopsy
canine
cancer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/390
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