The Function of MicroRNAs in B-Cell Development, Lymphoma, and Their Potential in Clinical Practice

Abstract

B-cell formation, development, and differentiation are complex processes regulated by several mechanisms. Recently, there has been growing evidence indicating that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important for normal B-cell lineage development. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules, about 20–22 nucleotide in length, that play an important role in regulating gene expression. They pair with specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs), resulting in mRNAs translational repression or degradation. Here, we review current research about the function of miRNAs in the aspects of B-cell physiology and pathology. We start by introducing the process of miRNA biogenesis. We will then focus on the role of miRNAs during B-cell lineage commitment and development in the bone marrow, followed by a discussion of miRNAs’ role in subsequent peripheral B-cell activation, proliferation, and final differentiation (including B-cell central tolerance and autoimmunity). We list and describe several examples to illustrate miRNAs’ role in the development of B-cell lymphoma, both as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Finally, we delineate the potential value of miRNAs in diagnosing B-cell lymphoma, predicting clinical outcomes, and modulating the efficiency of anticancer treatments. Despite the vast amount of research conducted on miRNAs in recent years, it is still necessary to increase and further strengthen studies on miRNAs and their targets to promote a better understanding on B-cell development and as a result, construct more effective treatments against B-cell disease.

Emerging Role of Podocalyxin in the Progression of Mature B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

“…Regarding B-cell lymphomas, various epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in the development of these malignancies, including dysregulation of DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as aberrant expression of microRNAs [72]. Among the most common microRNAs, miR-155, miR-17-92 cluster, miR-21, and miR-217 have been reported to function as oncogenes and miR-181a, miR-34a, miR146a, Cluster miR-15a/16-1, and miR-28 as tumor suppressor genes in B-cell lymphomas [73]. A univariate survival analysis performed in 64 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients showed an association of miR-199b expression with a better prognosis and with the germinal center B cell-like (GCB) subtype [74], known to confer a more favorable outcome than the activated B cell-like (ABC) subtype.…”

A pan‐inflammatory microRNA‐cluster is associated with orbital non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and idiopathic orbital inflammation

“…Because B cells are implicated in both the aetiology of NHOL and orbital inflammation, we finally compared the expression of 19 miRNAs previously implicated in B cell autoimmunity and B cell lymphoma between IOI and NHOL . This analysis revealed that the mean expression of B cell associated miRNAs in serum was similar between NHOL and IOI patients ().…”

MiR-28-5p mediates the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of curcumin on human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells

“…Numerous studies have focused on the regulatory function of miRNA in the pathogenesis and progression of B-cell lymphomas. 20 , 21 The abnormality of miRNA expression was highly correlated with the development of B-cell lymphoma. Many miRNAs have been identified as biomarkers of B-cell lymphoma.…”