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Published on: January 22, 2014
MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of peripheral blood samples in multiple myeloma patients using microarray
1Molecular Diagnostics and Protein Unit, Specialised Diagnostics Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur. yusnita@imr.gov.my
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are mostly located at cancer-associated genomic regions or in fragile sites, suggesting their important role in the pathogenesis of human cancers. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells, the third most common cancer of the blood after lymphoma and leukaemia. There are several published reports on miRNAs in MM, however most used bone marrow rather than peripheral blood samples. The aim of this study is to characterise miRNA expression in normal and MM patients using peripheral blood samples as it is less invasive and is readily available from patients. Blood samples from 35 MM patients were analysed using the microarray method. We identified up-regulation of 36 miRNAs (57%) and down-regulation of 27 miRNAs (43%). We also identified the CCND2, HMGA2 and IGF1R genes were among the highly predictive target genes (P(CT) > 0.80) for most of the deregulated miRNAs. These genes are known to play important roles in MM as well as other cancers. Five miRNAs (let-7c, miR-16, miR- 449, miR-181a and miR-181b) were found to exhibit similar expression patterns (p < 0.05) in peripheral blood when compared to data obtained by using bone marrow aspirates from MM patients in other studies. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated that miRNAs are also present and differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of MM patients compared to controls and may potentially serve as candidate tumour biomarkers in MM. In particular, let-7c and miR-16 have been shown to be significantly expressed in the bone marrow.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. These circulating miRNAs could serve as novel, less invasive biomarkers for MM detection and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer pathogenesis, often located in cancer-associated genomic regions.
- Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy; existing miRNA studies predominantly use bone marrow samples.
- Peripheral blood offers a less invasive and more accessible alternative for patient sample collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize miRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood from multiple myeloma patients.
- To compare miRNA expression in MM patients versus healthy controls.
- To identify potential circulating miRNA biomarkers for MM.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of peripheral blood samples from 35 MM patients and controls.
- Identification and quantification of differentially expressed miRNAs.
- Bioinformatic analysis to predict target genes of deregulated miRNAs.
Main Results:
- Significant differential expression of 63 miRNAs (36 up-regulated, 27 down-regulated) in MM patients' peripheral blood.
- CCND2, HMGA2, and IGF1R identified as highly predictive target genes for deregulated miRNAs.
- Expression patterns of five miRNAs (let-7c, miR-16, miR-449, miR-181a, miR-181b) in peripheral blood correlated with bone marrow data.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miRNAs are present and exhibit distinct expression patterns in the peripheral blood of MM patients.
- These peripheral blood miRNAs may serve as promising, non-invasive biomarkers for multiple myeloma.
- Specific miRNAs, including let-7c and miR-16, show potential as MM biomarkers, consistent with bone marrow findings.
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