biostudies-literatureBoellaard WPAErasmus MCDutch Cancer SocietyKWF KankerbestrijdingErasmus Medisch Centrum463-468https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6767197biostudies-literatureUnknown7(4)<h4>Background</h4>The microRNA-371a-3p (miR-371a-3p) has been reported to be an informative liquid biopsy (serum and plasma) molecular biomarker for both diagnosis and follow-up of patients with a malignant (testicular) germ cell tumor ((T)GCT). It is expressed in all histological cancer elements, with the exception of mature teratoma. However, normal testis, semen, and serum of males with a disrupted testicular integrity without a TGCT may contain miR-371a-3p levels above threshold, of which the cellular origin is unknown.<h4>Objectives</h4>Therefore, a series of relevant tissues (frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), when available) from the complete male urogenital tract (i.e., kidney to urethra and testis to urethra) and semen was investigated for miR-371a-3p levels usinAndrologyCellular origin of microRNA-371a-3p in healthy males based on systematic urogenital tract tissue evaluation.PMC6767197KWF 13‐6001KWF 13-6001Gillis AJMStoop HDorssers LCJLooijenga LHJBoellaard WPAvan Agthoven TBoormans JLDinkelman-Smit Mvan Leenders GJLHfalseCellular origin of microRNA-371a-3p in healthy males based on systematic urogenital tract tissue evaluation.<h4>Background</h4>The microRNA-371a-3p (miR-371a-3p) has been reported to be an informative liquid biopsy (serum and plasma) molecular biomarker for both diagnosis and follow-up of patients with a malignant (testicular) germ cell tumor ((T)GCT). It is expressed in all histological cancer elements, with the exception of mature teratoma. However, normal testis, semen, and serum of males with a disrupted testicular integrity without a TGCT may contain miR-371a-3p levels above threshold, of which the cellular origin is unknown.<h4>Objectives</h4>Therefore, a series of relevant tissues (frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), when available) from the complete male urogenital tract (i.e., kidney to urethra and testis to urethra) and semen was investigated for miR-371a-3p levels usin2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2025-04-18T14:06:55.388Z2019-10-11T07:13:08ZS-EPMC67671973078616410.1111/andr.12595