Novel insights into a reputably irreversible process: combined mRNA and miRNA profiling of tissue from vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy

Until recently, tissue fibrosis—ultimately leading to permanent scaring—has been considered an irreversible process. However, recent findings indicate that it may be reversible after all. Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) as fibrous narrowing is a frequent complication after radical prostatectomy with high recurrence rates and requires invasive treatment. The pathophysiology is poorly understood. Therefore, a combined mRNA and miRNA transcription profiling in tissue from VUAS was performed using nCounter technology. To assess tissue morphology and fiber composition, histochemical staining was performed. RNA expression of healthy and fibrotic tissue of twelve patients was analyzed using the human miRNA panel v3 and mRNA PanCancer pathway panel on the nCounter gene1 system and qRT-PCR. Differential expression data analysis was performed using the nSolver software implementing the R-based advanced pathway analysis tool. miRWalk2.0 was used for miRNA target prediction. More linearized tissue architecture, increased collagens, and decreased elastic fibers were observed in VUAS samples. 23 miRNAs and 118 protein coding genes were differentially expressed (p