Role of microRNAs in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Pathogenesis

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small endogenous non-coding RNAs involved in many cancers and various cellular processes such as cellular growth, DNA methylation, apoptosis, and differentiation. 13q14.3 chromosomal region contains miR-15 and miR-16 and deletion of this region is a commonly reported aberration in Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia (CLL), suggesting miRNAs involvement in CLL pathogenesis. MicroRNAs are known as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in CLL which may also serve as markers of onset and progression of the disease. The most prevalent form of leukemia diagnosed in adults in the western world, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, accounts for one-third of all leukemias. CLL is characterized by the presence of B Cell Malignant Clones in secondary lymphoid tissues, peripheral blood and bone marrow. The precise etiology of CLL is remained to be known, however, a number of Chromosomal Abnormalities such as deletions of 13q14.3, 11q and 17p and trisomy 12 have been detected. In this review, we offer our prospect on how miRNAs are involved in the CLL pathogenesis and disease progression. Further understanding of the underlying mechanisms and regulation of CLL pathogenesis has underscored the need for further research regarding their role in this disease.

Differential roles of miR‐15a/16‐1 and miR‐497/195 clusters in immune cell development and homeostasis

“…CLL is characterized by the clonal expansion of CD5 + B cells in blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid tissues, and appears to be driven by altered cellular signaling and typical genetic aberrations [4]. Intriguingly, about two thirds of all patients harbor a mutation or genomic deletion in the chromosomal region that encodes the miR-15a/16-1 cluster, suggesting a causal relationship between miR-15a/16-1 loss and leukemogenesis [5][6][7]. Indeed, a knockout mouse model lacking the miR-15a/ 16-1 cluster recapitulates the human disease and is characterized by the aberrant expansion of the CD5 + B-cell pool typical for CLL [8].…”

PTEN, a Barrier for Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells: From Molecular Pathways to Targeting and Regulation

“…Briefly, miRs belong to non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from the subcategory of regulatory RNAs [ 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Although miRs comprise a large section of genome and are not translated into proteins, they exert regulatory effects on important cellular events, such as proliferation, migration, and so on [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ]. In terms of regulation of the PTEN signaling pathway, miRs have demonstrated great potential.…”

Cancer stem cells as therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer

“…In this context, epigenetic regulations appeared as key modulators in cancer and CSCs [65][66][67][68][69][70]. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of main epigenetic regulators which act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78]. These molecules are small non-coding RNAs [79][80][81][82][83][84].…”