MiR-711 and miR-183-3p as potential markers for vital reaction of burned skin

In forensic practice, the identification of antemortem burns and postmortem burns is of the utmost importance. Reports from previous studies have shown that miRNAs, with lengths stretching over 18–25 nucleotides, are highly stable and resistant to degradation. However, there has been little research into the application of miRNAs in identifying antemortem and postmortem burns. This study compared the expression of miR-711 and miR-183-3p levels in mouse and postmortem human burned skins using RT-qPCR assay. RT-qPCR examination of burned mouse skins showed that increased miR-711 and miR-183-3p expression in comparison to intact skin tissues. The increased expressions of these two miRNAs were observed until 120 h after death in burned mouse skins, whereas no significant changes were found in postmortem burned skins. In human burned skins, the increased levels of these two miRNAs at 48 h following autopsy occurred in 19 of 26 subjects, which appeared to be related to the severity of the burn. These findings suggest that miR-711 and miR-183-3p may act as biomarkers for vital reaction of skin burn. KEY POINTS: This study investigated miR-711 and miR-183-3p levels in mouse and postmortem human burned skins using RT-qPCR. Increased miR-711 and miR-183-3p levels were observed in burned mouse skins. The increased expressions of these two miRNAs were observed until 120 h after death in burned mouse skin. The increased levels of these two miRNAs were observed until 48 h after autopsy in 19 of 26 forensic cases, which appeared to be related to the severity of the burn.