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Expression of microRNA-181a and microRNA-196b in Egyptian Pediatric acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Roxan Ezzat Shafik1, Nahed Abd El Wahab1, Marwa M Mokhtar1
1Department of Clinical Pathology, NCI, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
Differential expression of miRNA provides important insights into pathogenesis of cancer including leukemia. Deregulation of microRNA may contribute to hematopoietic malignancies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of miR-181a and miR-196b in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and correlate their expression with clinical and laboratory data.
Methods:
The study was performed on bone marrow samples of 70 consecutive newly diagnosed pediatric (ALL) patients, of which 56 were evaluated for both miR-181a and miR-196b (all 70 for miR-181a) by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In addition, bone marrow from seven age and sex matched healthy controls derived from donors of bone marrow transplantation were assessed.
Results:
miR-181a expression was significantly up-regulated in ALL patients compared with healthy controls (p <0.001). However, miR-196b expression was significantly down-regulated in patients compared with healthy controls (p=0.038).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that miR-181a has an oncogenic, while miR-196b has a tumor suppressive role in pediatric ALL patients. A finding which demonstrate the potential role of these microRNAs in pathogenesis of pediatric ALL. Also, estimation of their expression level may provide a tool for confirmation of a diagnosis of childhood ALL and could be a possible predictor of early relapse.
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Insights
MicroRNA-181a (miR-181a) is upregulated and acts as an oncogene, while microRNA-196b (miR-196b) is downregulated and acts as a tumor suppressor in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These findings highlight their role in ALL pathogenesis and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including leukemia.
- Specific miRNAs, such as miR-181a and miR-196b, may play critical roles in the development of hematopoietic malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-181a and miR-196b in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- To correlate the expression of these miRNAs with clinical and laboratory data in ALL patients.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess miR-181a and miR-196b expression.
- Bone marrow samples from 70 pediatric ALL patients and 7 healthy controls were analyzed.
Main Results:
- miR-181a expression was significantly upregulated in ALL patients compared to healthy controls (p <0.001).
- miR-196b expression was significantly downregulated in ALL patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.038).
Conclusions:
- miR-181a exhibits an oncogenic role, while miR-196b demonstrates a tumor-suppressive function in pediatric ALL.
- The expression levels of miR-181a and miR-196b may serve as diagnostic markers and potential predictors of early relapse in childhood ALL.
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