NTP Ginkgo biloba study reports molecular profile of mouse liver tumors
A recent study performed by Division of National Toxicology Program (NTP) scientists revealed abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns in murine hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) associated with exposure to Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). miRNAs are regulators of gene expression that play a role in cancer. According to the authors, this study is the first to assess global miRNA expression in murine HCC following long-term chemical exposure.
The NTP previously showed a dose-dependent increase in HCC in B6C3F1/N mice after two years of exposure to GBE. To determine the potential involvement of miRNAs in GBE-induced murine HCC, the researchers conducted global miRNA expression analysis in four types of tissue derived from B6C3F1/N mice: spontaneously occurring HCC (SPNT-HCC); GBE-exposed HCC (GBE-HCC); GBE-exposed nontumor samples; and age-matched normal livers not exposed to GBE.
Compared with normal livers, GBE-HCC had 74 differentially expressed miRNAs and SPNT-HCC had 33. Moreover, the findings for a miRNA called miR-31suggested a post-transcriptional effect. Some miRNAs that were altered in GBE-HCCs were also altered in nontumor samples from livers exposed to GBE for 90 days. These findings suggest that miRNAs could serve as biomarkers of disease or exposure. (NA)
Citation: Yamashita H, Surapureddi S, Kovi RC, Bhusari S, Ton TV, Li JL, Shockley KR, Peddada SD, Gerrish KE, Rider CV, Hoenerhoff MJ, Sills RC, Pandiri AR. 2020. Unique microRNA alterations in hepatocellular carcinomas arising either spontaneously or due to chronic exposure to Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in B6C3F1/N mice. Arch Toxicol; doi: 10.1007/s00204-020-02749-8 [Online 18 April 2020].