Figure 5. Relative quantification of CK-7 mRNA expression and miRNA levels s in each fraction of bile.

Levels of mRNA and miRNAs in each fraction were calculated from the results of real-time PCR and the volume of total RNA to compare the simplified absolute quantity in each component. (A) mRNA encoding the biliary epithelium marker CK 7 was predominantly detected in the subcellular component, which included whole cells, nuclei, and cellular cytoskeletons. (B) The miRNAs miR-21, miR-9, and RNU6B showed a similar pattern, indicating that most miRNAs in bile were derived from biliary epithelial cells. Fractions were obtained through low-speed (1), medium-speed (2), high-speed (3); and very high-speed centrifugation (4).