Exosomes from human saliva as a source of microRNA biomarkers.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) within exosomes isolated from human saliva and to optimize and test methods for successful downstream applications. DESIGN Exosomes isolated from fresh and frozen glandular and whole human saliva were used as a source of miRNAs. The presence of miRNAs was validated with TaqMan quantitative PCR and miRNA microarrays. RESULTS We successfully isolated exosomes from human saliva from healthy controls and a patient with Sjogren's syndrome. microRNAs extracted from the exosomal fraction were sufficient for quantitative PCR and microarray profiling. CONCLUSIONS The isolation of miRNAs from easily and non invasively obtained salivary exosomes with subsequent characterization of the miRNA expression patterns is promising for the development of future biomarkers of the diagnosis and prognosis of various salivary gland pathologies.
Oral diseases