Expression and Correlation Research of MicroRNA-10a-5p and PIK3CA in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the roles of miR-10a-5p and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphonate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α in the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma. METHODS: We enrolled 27 patients with middle ear cholesteatoma and collected samples of intraoperative cholesteatoma and normal posterior ear skin tissues. The mRNA expression levels of miR-10a-5p and PIK3CA were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. PIK3CA protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS: Middle ear cholesteatoma tissues showed significantly lower miR-10a-5p expression levels and significantly higher PIK3CA expression levels than normal posterior ear skin tissues (both P < .05). Furthermore, the miR-10a-5p and PIK3CA expression levels were significantly negatively correlated in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues (r = −0.926, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Low miR-10a-5p expression levels in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues may inhibit the growth and proliferation of cholesteatoma, whereas high PIK3CA expression level may promote its growth and proliferation. In addition, miR-10a-5p may affect the proliferation and differentiation of cholesteatoma by negatively regulating its target gene, PIK3CA.