Aberrant Expression of the miR-181b/miR-222 after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The Effects of Resveratrol, Gallic Acid, and Piperine on the Expression of miR-17, miR-92b, miR-181a, miR-222, BAX, BCL-2, MCL-1, WT1, c-Kit, and CEBPA in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Their Roles in Apoptosis

MicroRNAs (miRs) play a crucial role in the leukemogenesis and the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study investigated the therapeutic effects of resveratrol, gallic acid, and piperine as natural anticancer agents on the HL-60 cell line and their roles in apoptosis. In this experimental study, quantitative analysis of miRs, including miR-17, miR-92b, miR-181a, and miR-222, were performed in 150 newly diagnosed patients with AML by real-time PCR assay. HL-60 cell viability as well as the expression of miRs, BAX, BCL-2, MCL-1, WT1, c-Kit, and CEBPA, were also assessed after transfection with the LNA-miRs and treatment with resveratrol, gallic acid, and piperine. The expression of miR-17 and miR-181a decreased significantly in LNA-anti-miRs. Although HL-60 cell viability decreased in LNA-anti-miR-222, miR-17, and miR-92b, blockade of miR-181a increased the cell viability. Besides, the cell viability increased merely in the piperine-treated group. Compared to untreated cells, miR-17 and miR-92b expression significantly increased in gallic acid- and resveratrol-treated cells. In HL-60 cells treated with resveratrol, gallic acid, and piperine, the expression of miR-181a was also increased significantly. The expression of BAX was also increased in resveratrol and piperine-treated groups. Compared to untreated cells, the expression of c-Kit increased significantly in the piperine-treated group; however, it decreased in the resveratrol-treated group. LNA-anti-miRs may be a promising agent for the treatment of AML. All three compounds used in this study showed anticancer effects, which can exert the desired outcome in patients with AML.

MicroRNAs Associated with a Bad Prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Their Impact on Macrophage Polarization

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) associated with gene expression regulation. Since the discovery of the first miRNA in 1993, thousands of miRNAs have been studied and they have been associated not only with physiological processes, but also with various diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions. MiRNAs have proven to be not only significant biomarkers but also an interesting therapeutic target in various diseases, including cancer. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), miRNAs have been regarded as a welcome addition to the limited therapeutic armamentarium, and there is a vast amount of data on miRNAs and their dysregulation. Macrophages are innate immune cells, present in various tissues involved in both tissue repair and phagocytosis. Based on their polarization, macrophages can be classified into two groups: M1 macrophages with pro-inflammatory functions and M2 macrophages with an anti-inflammatory action. In cancer, M2 macrophages are associated with tumor evasion, metastasis, and a poor outcome. Several miRNAs have been associated with a poor prognosis in AML and with either the M1 or M2 macrophage phenotype. In the present paper, we review miRNAs with a reported negative prognostic significance in cancer with a focus on AML and analyze their potential impact on macrophage polarization.

miR-155 and miR-92 levels in ALL, post-transplant aGVHD, and CMV: possible new treatment options

BACKGROUND

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy that leads to altered blast cell proliferation, survival, and maturation and eventually to the lethal accumulation of leukemic cells. Recently, dysregulated expression of various micro-RNAs (miRNAs) has been reported in hematologic malignancies, especially ALL. Cytomegalovirus infection can induce ALL in otherwise healthy individuals, so a more detailed evaluation of its role in ALL-endemic areas like Iran is required.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 70 newly diagnosed adults with ALL were recruited. The expression level of microRNA-155(miR-155) and microRNA-92(miR-92) was evaluated by real-time SYBR Green PCR. The correlations between the miRNAs mentioned above and the severity of disease, CMV infection, and acute graft vs. host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were assessed. B cell and T cell ALL distinction in the level of miRNAs was provided.

RESULTS

After the statistical analysis, our results indicated a marked increase in the expression of miR-155 and miR-92 in ALL patients vs. healthy controls (*P = 0.002-*P = 0.03, respectively). Also, it was shown that the expression of miR-155 and miR-92 was higher in T cell ALL compared to B cell ALL (P = 0.01-P = 0.004, respectively), CMV seropositivity, and aGVHD.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the plasma signature of microRNA expression may act as a powerful marker for diagnosis and prognosis, providing knowledge outside cytogenetics. Elevation of miR-155 in plasma can be a beneficial therapeutic target for ALL patients, with consideration of higher plasma levels of miR-92 and miR-155 in CMV + and post-HSCT aGVHD patients.

Expression of interleukin 1, interleukin 27, and TNF α genes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: A case‐control study

Background and Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Dysregulated Expression of MiR-19b, MiR-25, MiR-17, WT1, and CEBPA in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Association with Graft versus Host Disease after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Elham JamaliObjectives  Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood malignancy characterized by the proliferation of aberrant cells in the bone marrow and blood that interfere with normal blood cells. We have investigated whether changes in the level of micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-19b, miR-17, and miR-25, Wilms' tumor (WT1), and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPA) genes expression affect disease prognosis and clinical outcome in AML patients. Materials and Methods  The expression level of miR-19-b, miR-17, and miR-25, as well as WT1 and CEBPA genes in a group of patients and controls as well as different risk groups (high, intermediate, and favorite risk), M3 versus non-M3, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) versus non-GvHD patients were assessed using a quantitative SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Results  When compared with the baseline level at the period of diagnosis before chemotherapy, the expression of miR-19b and miR-17 in AML patients increased significantly after chemotherapy. The level of miR-19b and miR-25 expression in AML patients with M3 and non-M3 French-American-British subgroups differ significantly. MiR-19b and miR-25 expression was elevated in GvHD patients, while miR-19b and miR-25 expression was somewhat decreased in GvHD patients compared with non-GvHD patients, albeit the difference was not statistically significant. Also, patients with different cytogenetic aberrations had similar levels of miR-19-b and miR-25 expression. Conclusion  MiR-19b, miR-17, and miR-25 are aberrantly expressed in AML patients' peripheral blood leukocytes, which may play a role in the development of acute GvHD following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

MiR-181a and -b expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its correlation with acute graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, COVID-19 and torque teno viruses

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a malignant transformation and proliferation of the lymphoid line of blood cells, is characterized by chromosomal abnormalities and genetic changes. The purpose of this research was the evaluation of expression level of miR-181a and -b in patients with ALL compared to the control group. Furthermore, we examined their expression level in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) patients who developed acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in comparison with those without aGVHD and explore the relationship between their expression level and cytogenetic abnormalities. In this cross-sectional study, 76 newly diagnosed adult De novo ALL patients were enrolled who were admitted to our referral hospital. All patients received standard chemotherapy, consisting of daunorubicin. A total of 37 patients underwent HSCT from the related human leukocyte antigen-matched donors. ALL patients have been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Torque teno viruses (TTVs). We assessed the expression levels of miR-181a and -b in the peripheral blood sample of ALL patients at the time of diagnosis prior to chemotherapy, and healthy matched individuals by RT–PCR. TTVs and COVID-19 load were also determined via RT–PCR. In conclusion, the expression level of miR-181a and -b were significantly higher in ALL patients than healthy controls and also increased in patients who developed aGVHD in comparison with those without aGVHD. MiR-181a and -b can be a useful biomarker in ALL and a useful indicator of aGVHD. The expression level of miR-181a in ALL patients with COVID-19 is significantly up-regulated, while it is reduced in these patients with TTV.

Expression Levels of Il-6 and Il-18 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Its Relation with Response to Therapy and Acute GvHD After Bone Marrow Transplantation

Cytokines seem to play a crucial role in physiological and pathological conditions of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of interleukins-6 (IL-6) and IL-18 in patients with AML and its correlation with response to therapy and graft versus host disease (GvHD) after bone marrow transplantation. The expression levels of IL-6 and IL-18 genes were done in all patients and compared with matched control. Complete remission (CR) was used for evaluation of the effects of these cytokines on response to treatment in patients group. The expression level of these cytokines was also evaluated in patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation and experienced acute GvHD in compare with patients without aGvHD. Il-6 gene expression level was significantly higher in these patients in comparison with control but Il-18 gene expression level was not statistically significant compared to control group. Il-6 and also Il-18 expression levels were significantly higher in patients without a response to treatment according to CR compared to patient's whit response to treatment as well as patients experienced aGvHD after bone marrow transplantation. IL-6 and Il-18 are important markers in the progression of the disease and could be considered as a prognostic marker in acute leukemia. It is recommended that more studies with larger study groups and more involved cytokines are needed for more evaluation of the cytokine roles in pathophysiology and progression of acute leukemia.