MicroRNAs in normal and malignant hematopoiesis

Environmental chemical exposures and human epigenetics

Every year more than 13 million deaths worldwide are due to environmental pollutants, and approximately 24% of diseases are caused by environmental exposures that might be averted through preventive measures. Rapidly growing evidence has linked environmental pollutants with epigenetic variations, including changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs. Environ mental chemicals and epigenetic changes All of these mechanisms are likely to play important roles in disease aetiology, and their modifications due to environmental pollutants might provide further understanding of disease aetiology, as well as biomarkers reflecting exposures to environmental pollutants and/or predicting the risk of future disease. We summarize the findings on epigenetic alterations related to environmental chemical exposures, and propose mechanisms of action by means of which the exposures may cause such epigenetic changes. We discuss opportunities, challenges and future directions for future epidemiology research in environmental epigenomics. Future investigations are needed to solve methodological and practical challenges, including uncertainties about stability over time of epigenomic changes induced by the environment, tissue specificity of epigenetic alterations, validation of laboratory methods, and adaptation of bioinformatic and biostatistical methods to high-throughput epigenomics. In addition, there are numerous reports of epigenetic modifications arising following exposure to environmental toxicants, but most have not been directly linked to disease endpoints. To complete our discussion, we also briefly summarize the diseases that have been linked to environmental chemicals-related epigenetic changes.

Stem-loop RT-qPCR for microRNA expression profiling

Quantification of the microRNAs (miRNAs) in cells or tissues is a crucial step in understanding their biological functions. Development of the stem-loop reverse transcription procedure and TaqMan(®) miRNA assays enables accurate detection of miRNA expression levels by quantitative PCR. Increased experimental throughput permits the expression screening of larger number of miRNAs with small amounts of sample. Here, we demonstrate the use of both TaqMan(®) Array Card and OpenArray(®) platforms to accurately determine the level of miRNA gene expression in biological samples.

Characteristics of adult stem cells

Stem cells are characterized by their unlimited ability to divide specifically; a stem cell is capable of making an immense number of copies of itself, maintaining the same characteristics. Moreover, these cells are able to generate several of the cell lineages which make up the body, including cells from the heart, liver, kidney, neurons, and muscles. Investigation of the mechanisms through which this differentiation occurs, the genes involved and the possibility of increasing the efficiency with which stem cells can be isolated and/or characterized are currently among the most important fields in biology and biomedicine.To date, stems cells have been identified from four different sources: Embryonic stem cells (ESC), germinal stem cells, and those derived from embryonic carcinomas (teratocarcinomas) and from somatic tissues (somatic stem cells). The latter are called adult stem cells (ASC) when they are found in postnatal tissues. We now know that there is a great diversity among ASC, with some tissues, such as the bone marrow, containing more than one type of ASC. Adult stem cells have several characteristics that make them to be the main players in current regenerative medicine and are being investigated as potential therapeutic agents for a wide variety of diseases. Specifically, HSC and MSC are being assessed in increasing numbers of clinical trials.

Small RNAs as potential platelet therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21-23 nucleotide RNAs that regulate more than 60% of mammalian protein coding genes. miRNAs play critical roles in hematopoiesis and megakaryocyte function and development. Platelets, in addition to possessing functional miRNA processing machinery, have miRNA levels that have been correlated with platelet reactivity, and these miRNAs have been shown to target mRNAs that encode proteins that alter platelet function. There are potential uses of platelet miRNA as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Due to the ability of platelets to release miRNA-containing microparticles at sites of activation, including angiogenic regions, tumors, and atherosclerotic plaques, there is the possibility of engineering platelets to deliver miRNA-based therapies to these sites. Cellpreferential expression of miRNAs could be exploited to restrict transgene expression in hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy to the desired lineage, including megakaryocytes and platelets. Finally, manipulation of gene expression in stored platelets may allow more effective platelet storage. Although much work remains to be done, there is great potential in miRNA-based platelet therapies.

The microRNA regulation of stem cells

The microRNA (miRNA) pathway, as a fundamental mechanism of gene regulation, plays a key role in controlling the establishment, self-renewal, and differentiation of stem cells. Such regulation is manifested as fine tuning the temporal- and tissue-specificity of gene expression. This fine-tuning function is achieved by (1) miRNAs form positive and negative feedback loops with transcription factors and epigenetic factors to exert concerted control of given biological processes and/or (2) different miRNAs converge to control one or more mRNA targets in a signaling pathway. These regulatory mechanisms are found in embryonic stem cells, iPS cells, and adult tissue stem cells. The distinct expression profiles of miRNAs and their regulatory roles in various types of stem cells render these RNAs potentially effective tools for clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Differential miRNA expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and association with clinical and biological features

The present study aimed to analyze the expression profile of the microRNAs previously described as associated with childhood ALL, miR-92a, miR-100, miR-125a-5p, miR-128a, miR-181b, miR-196b and let-7e, and their association with biological/prognostic features in 128 consecutive samples of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by quantitative real-time PCR. A significant association was observed between higher expression levels of miR-196b and T-ALL, miR-100 and patients with low white blood cell count at diagnosis and t(12;21) positive ALL. These findings suggest a potential activity of these microRNAs in pediatric ALL biology.

Epstein-Barr virus BART9 miRNA modulates LMP1 levels and affects growth rate of nasal NK T cell lymphomas

Nasal NK/T cell lymphomas (NKTCL) are a subset of aggressive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The role of EBV in pathogenesis of NKTCL is not clear. Intriguingly, EBV encodes more than 40 microRNAs (miRNA) that are differentially expressed and largely conserved in lymphocryptoviruses. While miRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cancer, especially lymphomas, the expression and function of EBV transcribed miRNAs in NKTCL are not known. To examine the role of EBV miRNAs in NKTCL, we used microarray profiling and qRT-PCR to identify and validate expression of viral miRNAs in SNK6 and SNT16 cells, which are two independently derived NKTCL cell lines that maintain the type II EBV latency program. All EBV BART miRNAs except BHRF-derived miRNAs were expressed and some of these miRNAs are expressed at higher levels than in nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Modulating the expression of BART9 with antisense RNAs consistently reduced SNK6 and SNT16 proliferation, while antisense RNAs to BARTs-7 and -17-5p affected proliferation only in SNK6 cells. Furthermore, the EBV LMP-1 oncoprotein and transcript levels were repressed when an inhibitor of BART9 miRNA was transfected into SNK6 cells, and overexpression of BART9 miRNA increased LMP-1 protein and mRNA expression. Our data indicate that BART9 is involved in NKTCL proliferation, and one of its mechanisms of action appears to be regulating LMP-1 levels. Our findings may have direct application for improving NKTCL diagnosis and for developing possible novel treatment approaches for this tumor, for which current chemotherapeutic drugs have limited effectiveness.

An oncogenic role of miR-142-3p in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by targeting glucocorticoid receptor-α and cAMP/PKA pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of 19-24 nucleotide non-coding RNAs with posttranscriptional regulatory functions. The involvement of miRNAs in normal hematopoiesis implies that deregulated miRNAs might contribute to leukemogenesis. To date, although certain miRNAs have been established a clear oncogenic role in hematological malignancies, other individual miRNAs potentially involved in human leukemogenesis still remain elusive. In this report, we showed that miR-142-3p was upregulated in human T-leukemic cell lines and primary T-leukemic cells isolated from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients and its expressive levels were correlated with patients' prognosis. Such an oncogenic role of miR-142-3p could be explained by its targeting cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRα). High levels of miR-142-3p resulted in low levels of cAMP and weak activity of PKA, thus relieving the inhibitory effect of PKA on T-leukemic cell proliferation. Meanwhile, miR-142-3p decreased GRα protein expression by directly targeting the 3'-untranslational region of GRα mRNA, leading to glucocorticoid resistance. Transfection of the miR-142-3p inhibitor effectively converted glucocorticoid resistance, because of the resultant increase of GRα expression and PKA activity. These findings suggest that miR-142-3p is critical in T-cell leukemogenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in T-ALL patients.

Epigenetic silencing of the oncogenic miR-17-92 cluster during PU.1-directed macrophage differentiation

This study unravels an epigenetic mechanism for the regulation of the oncogenic miRNA cluster 17-92, involving the master hematopoietic transcription factor PU.1/Egr-2 and Jarid1b.

The oncogenic cluster miR-17-92 encodes seven related microRNAs that regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis and development. Expression of miR-17-92 cluster is decreased upon cell differentiation. Here, we report a novel mechanism of the regulation of miR-17-92 cluster. Using transgenic PU.1^−/− myeloid progenitors we show that upon macrophage differentiation, the transcription factor PU.1 induces the secondary determinant Egr2 which, in turn, directly represses miR-17-92 expression by recruiting histone demethylase Jarid1b leading to histone H3 lysine K4 demethylation within the CpG island at the miR-17-92 promoter. Conversely, Egr2 itself is targeted by miR-17-92, indicating existence of mutual regulatory relationship between miR-17-92 and Egr2. Furthermore, restoring EGR2 levels in primary acute myeloid leukaemia blasts expressing elevated levels of miR-17-92 and low levels of PU.1 and EGR2 leads to downregulation of miR-17-92 and restored expression of its targets p21CIP1 and BIM. We propose that upon macrophage differentiation PU.1 represses the miR-17-92 cluster promoter by an Egr-2/Jarid1b-mediated H3K4 demethylation mechanism whose deregulation may contribute to leukaemic states.

Environmental chemicals and microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded non-coding molecules that function as negative regulators to silence or suppress gene expression. Aberrant miRNA expression has been implicated in a several cellular processes and pathogenic pathways of a number of diseases. Evidence is rapidly growing that miRNA regulation of gene expression may be affected by environmental chemicals. These environmental exposures include those that have frequently been associated with chronic diseases, such as heavy metals, air pollution, bisphenol A, and cigarette smoking. In this article, we review the published data on miRNAs in relation to the exposure to several environmental chemicals, and discuss the potential mechanisms that may link environmental chemicals to miRNA alterations. We further discuss the challenges in environmental-miRNA research and possible future directions. The accumulating evidence linking miRNAs to environmental chemicals, coupled with the unique regulatory role of miRNAs in gene expression, makes miRNAs potential biomarkers for better understanding the mechanisms of environmental diseases.

Diagnostic microRNA profiling in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are the most frequent primary skin lymphomas. Nevertheless, diagnosis of early disease has proven difficult because of a clinical and histologic resemblance to benign inflammatory skin diseases. To address whether microRNA (miRNA) profiling can discriminate CTCL from benign inflammation, we studied miRNA expression levels in 198 patients with CTCL, peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL), and benign skin diseases (psoriasis and dermatitis). Using microarrays, we show that the most induced (miR-326, miR-663b, and miR-711) and repressed (miR-203 and miR-205) miRNAs distinguish CTCL from benign skin diseases with > 90% accuracy in a training set of 90 samples and a test set of 58 blinded samples. These miRNAs also distinguish malignant and benign lesions in an independent set of 50 patients with PTL and skin inflammation and in experimental human xenograft mouse models of psoriasis and CTCL. Quantitative (q)RT-PCR analysis of 103 patients with CTCL and benign skin disorders validates differential expression of 4 of the 5 miRNAs and confirms previous reports on miR-155 in CTCL. A qRT-PCR-based classifier consisting of miR-155, miR-203, and miR-205 distinguishes CTCL from benign disorders with high specificity and sensitivity, and with a classification accuracy of 95%, indicating that miRNAs have a high diagnostic potential in CTCL.

Targeting microRNAs involved in human diseases: a novel approach for modification of gene expression and drug development

The identification of all epigenetic modifications (i.e. DNA methylation, histone modifications and expression of noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs) involved in gene regulation is one of the major steps forward for understanding human biology in both normal and pathological conditions and for development of novel drugs. In this context, microRNAs play a pivotal role. This review article focuses on the involvement of microRNAs in the regulation of gene expression, on the possible role of microRNAs in the onset and development of human pathologies, and on the pharmacological alteration of the biological activity of microRNAs. RNA and DNA analogs, which can selectively target microRNAs using Watson-Crick base pairing schemes, provide a rational and efficient way to modulate gene expression. These compounds, termed antago-miR or anti-miR have been described in many examples in the recent literature and have proved to be able to perform regulatory as well as therapeutic functions. Among these, a still not fully exploited class is that of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), promising tools for the inhibition of miRNA activity, with important applications in gene therapy and in drug development. PNAs targeting miR-122, miR-155 and miR-210 have already been developed and their biological effects studied both in vitro and in vivo.

Deregulated microRNAs in multiple myeloma

MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNAS involved in gene expression regulation under physiological and pathological situations. They bind to mRNA of target genes and are potential regulators of gene expression at a post-transcription level through the RNA interference pathway. They are estimated to represent 1% to 2% of the known eukaryotic genome, and it has been demonstrated that they are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, metabolism disorders, and heart disease. MicroRNAs are known to act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in cancer biology. The authors describe the current knowledge on microRNA involvement in regulatory pathways that characterize multiple myeloma pathogenesis gained from in vitro and in vivo studies. These small molecules interact with important factors such as p53, SOCS1, IGF-1, IGF-1R, vascular endothelial growth factor, NF-κB, and others. As such, microRNAs represent an attractive therapeutic target in the context of multiple myeloma interfering with the myeloma regulatory networks. Further studies are needed to better understand their role in myelomagenesis and their therapeutic potential.

Decreased microRNA-214 levels in breast cancer cells coincides with increased cell proliferation, invasion and accumulation of the Polycomb Ezh2 methyltransferase

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or promoting degradation of specific target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Alteration of the levels of a number of miRNAs is common in solid and hematological tumors. We have shown previously that miR-214 regulates Ezh2 in skeletal muscle and embryonic stem cells. The current study was aimed at examining the role of miR-214 in breast cancer where miR-214 levels are reduced but whether this phenomenon bears a functional relevance is unknown. MiR-214 expression was inversely correlated with Ezh2 mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines and at least one copy of the miR-214 alleles was found to be deleted in 24% (6/25) of primary breast tumors. Experimental increase of miR-214 in breast cancer cell lines correlated with reduction of Ezh2 protein levels, a known marker of invasion and aggressive breast cancer behavior. Supporting a direct targeting mechanism, miR-214 decreased luciferase activity from a construct containing the Ezh2 3' untranslated region. Expression of miR-214 specifically reduced cell proliferation of breast cancer cells and inhibited the invasive potential of a highly metastatic breast cancer cell line. These findings indicate that reduced miR-214 levels may contribute to breast tumorigenesis by allowing abnormally elevated Ezh2 accumulation and subsequent unchecked cell proliferation and invasion.

A Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-encoded ortholog of microRNA miR-155 induces human splenic B-cell expansion in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2Rγnull mice

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a B-cell-tropic virus associated with KS and B-cell lymphomas, encodes 12 miRNA genes that are highly expressed in these tumor cells. One viral miRNA, miR-K12-11, shares 100% seed sequence homology with hsa-miR-155, an oncogenic human miRNA that functions as a key regulator of hematopoiesis and B-cell differentiation. So far, in vitro studies have shown that both miRNAs can regulate a common set of cellular target genes, suggesting that miR-K12-11 may mimic miR-155 function. To comparatively study miR-K12-11 and miR-155 function in vivo, we used a foamy virus vector to express the miRNAs in human hematopoietic progenitors and performed immune reconstitutions in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2Rγ(null) mice. We found that ectopic expression of miR-K12-11 or miR-155 leads to a significant expansion of the CD19(+) B-cell population in the spleen. Subsequent quantitative PCR analyses of these splenic B cells revealed that C/EBPβ, a transcriptional regulator of interleukin-6 that is linked to B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, is downregulated when either miR-K12-11 or miR-155 is ectopically expressed. In addition, inhibition of miR-K12-11 function using antagomirs in KSHV-infected human primary effusion lymphoma B cells resulted in derepression of C/EBPβ transcript levels. This in vivo study validates miR-K12-11 as a functional ortholog of miR-155 in the context of hematopoiesis and suggests a novel mechanism by which KSHV miR-K12-11 induces splenic B-cell expansion and potentially KSHV-associated lymphomagenesis by targeting C/EBPβ.

Virally induced changes in cellular microRNAs maintain latency of human cytomegalovirus in CD34⁺ progenitors

One site of latency of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV; human herpesvirus 5) is known to be CD34(+) haematopoietic progenitor cells, and it is likely that carriage of latent virus has profound effects on cellular gene expression in order to optimize latency and reactivation. As microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating stem-cell gene expression, this study asked whether latent carriage of HCMV led to changes in cellular miRNA expression. A comprehensive miRNA screen showed the differential regulation of a number of cellular miRNAs during HCMV latency in CD34(+) progenitor cells. One of these, hsa-miR-92a, was robustly decreased in three independent miRNA screens. Latency-induced change in hsa-miR-92a results in an increase in expression of GATA-2 and subsequent increased expression of cellular IL-10, which aids the maintenance of latent viral genomes in CD34(+) cells, probably resulting from their increased survival.

Role of microRNAs in lymphoid biology and disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides a state-of-the-art knowledge on the implications of microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation in lymphoid malignancies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several new studies have broadened our understanding of how aberrations of the miRNome contribute to the development of a malignant lymphoid phenotype. Recently, a new pathogenetic model involving miRNAs and protein coding genes (such as TP53 and ZAP-70) has been identified and explains the prognostic implications of the most recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Moreover, new recent studies have addressed the role of miRNAs in human lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemias.

SUMMARY

The recent advances in our understanding of the role of miRNAs in lymphoid malignancies demonstrate that miRNAs can effectively be used as tumoral biomarkers with implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy.

Overexpression of microRNA-16-2 contributes to the abnormal erythropoiesis in polycythemia vera

Deregulated expression of microRNAs is associated with neoplasia. Here, we show that mature miR-16 levels are abnormally increased in CD34+ cells of patients with polycythemia vera as a consequence of preferential expression of miR-16-2 on chromosome 3 rather than of miR-16-1 on chromosome 13. Forced expression of miRNA-16 in normal CD34+ cells stimulated erythroid cell proliferation and maturation. Conversely, exposure of polycythemia vera CD34+ cells to small interfering RNA against pre-miR-16-2 reduced erythroid colonies and largely prevented formation of erythropoietin-independent colonies; myeloid progenitors remained unaffected. Experiments with knock down of JAK2 indicated that overexpression of miR-16 was independent of JAK/STAT pathway activation. Mice injected with an miR-16 antagomir showed a blunted erythroid response to exogenous erythropoietin, which indicates a role of miR-16 in normal erythropoiesis. These data suggest that deregulation of miR-16-2 contributes to abnormal expansion of erythroid lineage in polycythemia vera. However, the mechanisms for miR-16-2 overexpression remain to be elucidated, because no genetic abnormalities at the miR-16-2 locus were discovered.

miR-29a and miR-142-3p downregulation and diagnostic implication in human acute myeloid leukemia

Expression profiling of microRNAs (miRNAs) in most diseases might be popular and provide the possibility for diagnostic implication, but few studies have accurately quantified the expression level of dysregulated miRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we analyzed the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 AML patients (subtypes M1 to M5) and six normal controls by miRNA microarray and identified several differentially expressed miRNAs. Among them miR-29a and miR-142-3p were selectively encountered in Northern blot analysis and their significantly decreased expression in AML was further confirmed. Quantitative real-time PCR in 52 primarily diagnosed AML patients and 100 normal controls not only verified the expression properties of these 2 miRNAs, but also established that the expression level of miR-142-3p and miR-29a in PBMCs could be used as novel diagnostic markers. A better diagnostic outcome was achieved by combining miR-29a and miR-142-3p with about 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.97. Our results provide insights into the involvement of miRNAs in leukemogenesis, and offer candidates for AML diagnosis and therapeutic strategy.

Oncogenic IRFs provide a survival advantage for Epstein-Barr virus- or human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-transformed cells through induction of BIC expression

miR-155, processed from the B-cell integration cluster (BIC), is one of the few well-studied microRNAs (miRNAs) and is involved in both innate immunity and tumorigenesis. BIC/miR-155 is induced by distinct signaling pathways, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We have identified two conserved potential interferon (IFN) regulatory factor (IRF)-binding/interferon-stimulated response element motifs in the Bic gene promoter. Two oncogenic IRFs, IRF4 and -7, in addition to some other members of the family, bind to and significantly transactivate the Bic promoter. Correspondingly, the endogenous levels of IRF4 and -7 are correlated with that of the BIC transcript in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed cells. However, RNA interference studies have shown that depletion of IRF4, rather than of IRF7, dramatically decreases the endogenous level of BIC by up to 70% in EBV- or human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV1)-transformed cell lines and results in apoptosis and reduction of proliferation rates that are restored by transient expression of miR-155. Moreover, the endogenous levels of the miR-155 target, SHIP1, are consistently elevated in EBV- and HTLV1-transformed cell lines stably expressing shIRF4. In contrast, transient expression of IRF4 decreases the SHIP1 level in EBV-negative B cells. Furthermore, the level of IRF4 mRNA is significantly correlated with that of BIC in adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL) tumors. These results show that IRF4 plays an important role in the regulation of BIC in the context of EBV and HTLV1 infection. Our findings have identified Bic as the first miRNA-encoding gene for IRFs and provide evidence for a novel molecular mechanism underlying the IRF/BIC pathway in viral oncogenesis.

The pro-apoptotic protein Bim is a microRNA target in kidney progenitors

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate nephron progenitors during kidney development should aid development of therapies for renal failure. MicroRNAs, which modulate gene expression through post-transcriptional repression of specific target mRNAs, contribute to the differentiation of stem cells, but their role in nephrogenesis is incompletely understood. Here, we found that the loss of miRNAs in nephron progenitors results in a premature depletion of this population during kidney development. Increased apoptosis and expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim accompanied this depletion. Profiling of miRNA expression during nephrogenesis identified several highly expressed miRNAs (miR-10a, miR-106b, miR-17-5p) in nephron progenitors that are either known or predicted to target Bim. We propose that modulation of apoptosis by miRNAs may determine congenital nephron endowment. Furthermore, our data implicate the pro-apoptotic protein Bim as a miRNA target in nephron progenitors.

Immunophenotype-related microRNA expression in canine chronic lymphocytic leukemia

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional regulatory noncoding RNAs used to profile human hematopoietic tumors. In this study, some mature miRNAs was quantitated in peripheral blood from dogs with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Relative expression data were normalised against four endogenous controls (let-7a, miR-17-5p, miR-26b, and miR-223) selected by geNorm analysis. The results revealed distinct miRNA patterns in CLL depending on the immunophenotype. Also in dogs, the different miRNAs expression could reflect developmental lineage and tumor differentiation. The similar genetics, physiology and exposure to environment in dogs and humans make the miRNA expression study in canine CLL attractive for comparative oncology.

MicroRNAs in the midst of myeloid signal transduction

MicroRNA (miRNA) play important roles in the development and physiological function of hematopoietic stem/progenitor and mature cell lineages. In addition, deregulated miRNA expression and subsequent gene expression changes are associated with hematologic diseases including myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. This review focuses on myelopoiesis as a model to highlight the involvement of miRNA in the regulation of normal and malignant cellular signaling pathways. By incorporating miRNA regulation into well-established myeloid signal transduction pathways, we hope to shed light on targetable factors both upstream and downstream of miRNA signaling. These pathway-specific miRNA functions suggest scenarios wherein miRNA-based therapeutics may be beneficial either alone or in combination with current therapies.

IRF7: activation, regulation, modification and function

Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) was originally identified in the context of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and has since emerged as the crucial regulator of type I interferons (IFNs) against pathogenic infections, which activate IRF7 by triggering signaling cascades from pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize pathogenic nucleic acids. Moreover, IRF7 is a multifunctional transcription factor, underscored by the fact that it is associated with EBV latency, in which IRF7 is induced as well as activated by the EBV principal oncoprotein latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1). Aberrant production of type I IFNs is associated with many types of diseases such as cancers and autoimmune disorders. Thus, tight regulation of IRF7 expression and activity is imperative in dictating appropriate type I IFN production for normal IFN-mediated physiological functions. Posttranslational modifications have important roles in regulation of IRF7 activity, exemplified by phosphorylation, which is indicative of its activation. Furthermore, mounting evidence has shed light on the importance of regulatory ubiquitination in activation of IRF7. Albeit these exciting findings have been made in the past decade since its discovery, many questions related to IRF7 remain to be addressed.

Role of microRNAs in hematological malignancies

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that function as post-transcriptional negative regulators of gene expression. They have been shown to be involved in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as acting as oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes, suggesting their involvement in cancer development and progression. Expression profiles of human miRNAs have shown that many of them are aberrantly expressed in hematological malignancies. Therefore, miRNA profiling may be useful to distinguish between normal and tumor cells, and to create signatures for a variety of leukemia subtypes. Here, we review recent evidence for the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of different hematopoietic malignancies and their potential applications in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of human leukemia.

Expression of CD19 and lack of miR-223 distinguish extramedullary plasmacytoma from multiple myeloma

AIMS

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) and multiple myeloma (MM) are both plasma cell (PC) tumours that are usually distinguished by clinical manifestations, but not by histopathological examination alone. However, EMP may express B-cell markers, such as CD79a and CD20, and MM may express germinal centre B-cell (GCBC)-associated microRNAs, such as miR-93 and miR-181b. Down-regulation of miR-30a or up-regulation of miR-223 is associated with the transition from GCBCs into PCs or memory B-cells, respectively. We studied B-cell markers and microRNAs to establish criteria that could distinguish EMP from MM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Immunostains for the B-cell markers CD19, CD20, CD79a and PAX5 were performed. Expression levels of microRNAs 30a, 93, 181b and 223 were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. 73% of EMPs expressed CD19 whereas MM cases were negative. EMP and MM had similar levels of miR-30a, miR-93, and miR-181b, but EMP lacked expression of miR-223.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of CD19 and lack of miR-223 suggested aberrant B-cell differentiation in EMP. Although the underlying mechanism for this differential expression was unclear, a CD19(+) /miR-223(-) phenotype could be used to distinguish EMP from the CD19(-) /miR-223(+) phenotype of MM.

Zebrafish microRNA-126 determines hematopoietic cell fate through c-Myb

Precise regulatory mechanisms are required to appropriately modulate the cellular levels of transcription factors controlling cell fate decisions during blood cell development. In this study, we show that miR-126 is a novel physiological regulator of the proto-oncogene c-myb during definitive hematopoiesis. We show that knockdown of miR-126 results in increased c-Myb levels and promotes erythropoiesis at the expense of thrombopoiesis in vivo. We further provide evidence that specification of thrombocyte versus erythrocyte cell lineages is altered by the concerted activities of the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-126 and miR-150. Both miRNAs are required but not sufficient individually to precisely regulate the cell fate decision between erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages during definitive hematopoiesis in vivo. These results support the notion that miRNAs not only function to provide precision to developmental programs but also are essential determinants in the control of variable potential functions of a single gene during hematopoiesis.

Identification of a risk dependent microRNA expression signature in myelodysplastic syndromes

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) display both haematological and biological heterogeneity with variable leukaemia potential. MicroRNAs play an important role in tumour suppression and the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of haematopoietic progenitors. Using a microarray platform, we evaluated microRNA expression from 44 patients with MDS and 17 normal controls. We identified a thirteen microRNA signature with statistically significant differential expression between normal and MDS specimens (P < 0·01), including down-regulation of members of the leukaemia-associated MIRLET7 family. A unique signature consisting of 10 microRNAs was closely associated with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk category permitting discrimination between lower (Low/Intermediate-1) and higher risk (Intermediate-2/High) disease (P < 0·01). Selective overexpression of MIR181 family members was detected in higher risk MDS, indicating pathogenetic overlap with acute myeloid leukaemia. Survival analysis of an independent cohort of 22 IPSS lower risk MDS patients revealed a median survival of 3·5 years in patients with high expression of MIR181 family compared to 9·3 years in patients with low MIR181 expression (P = 0·002). Our pilot study suggested that analysis of microRNA expression profile offers diagnostic utility, and provide pathogenetic and prognostic discrimination in MDS.

Viral miRNAs

Since 2004, more than 200 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been discovered in double-stranded DNA viruses, mainly herpesviruses and polyomaviruses (Nucleic Acids Res 32:D109-D111, 2004). miRNAs are short 22  ±  3 nt RNA molecules that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTR) of target mRNAs, thereby inducing translational silencing and/or transcript degradation (Nature 431:350-355, 2004; Cell 116:281-297, 2004). Since miRNAs require only limited complementarity for binding, miRNA targets are difficult to determine (Mol Cell 27:91-105, 2007). To date, targets have only been experimentally verified for relatively few viral miRNAs, which either target viral or host cellular gene expression: For example, SV40 and related polyomaviruses encode miRNAs which target viral large T antigen expression (Nature 435:682-686, 2005; J Virol 79:13094-13104, 2005; Virology 383:183-187, 2009; J Virol 82:9823-9828, 2008) and miRNAs of α-, β-, and γ-herpesviruses have been implicated in regulating the transition from latent to lytic gene expression, a key step in the herpesvirus life cycle. Viral miRNAs have also been shown to target various host cellular genes. Although this field is just beginning to unravel the multiple roles of viral miRNA in biology and pathogenesis, the current data strongly suggest that virally encoded miRNAs are able to regulate fundamental biological processes such as immune recognition, promotion of cell survival, angiogenesis, proliferation, and cell differentiation. This chapter aims to summarize our current knowledge of viral miRNAs, their targets and function, and the challenges lying ahead to decipher their role in viral biology, pathogenesis, and for γ-herepsvirus-encoded miRNAs, potentially tumorigenesis.

MiRNA in innate immune responses: novel players in wound inflammation

Chronic wounds represent a major and rising socioeconomic threat affecting over 6.5 million people in the United States costing in excess of US $25 billion annually. Wound healing is a physiological response to injury that is conserved across tissue systems. In humans, wounding is followed by instant response aimed at hemostasis, which in turn provides the foundation for inflammatory processes that closely follow. Inflammation is helpful and a prerequisite for healing as long as it is mounted and resolved in a timely manner. Chronic inflammation derails the healing cascade resulting in impaired wound closure. Disruption of Dicer, the RNase III enzyme that generates functional miRNAs, has a major impact on the overall immune system. Emerging studies indicate that miRNAs, especially miR-21, miR-146a/b, and miR-155, play a key role in regulating several hubs that orchestrate the inflammatory process. Direct evidence from studies addressing wound inflammation being limited, the current work represents a digest of the relevant literature that is aimed at unveiling the potential significance of miRNAs in the regulation of wound inflammation. Such treatment would help establish new paradigms highlighting a central role of miRs in the understanding and management of dysregulated inflammation as noted in conjunction with chronic wounds.

MicroRNAs: emerging key regulators of hematopoiesis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by pairing with their target mRNAs, thereby inducing protein translation inhibition or/and mRNA degradation. There is now strong evidence that miRNAs play a crucial role in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Several groups have shown that miRNA expression change dynamically during hematopoietic differentiation and functional studies demonstrated that miRNAs control not only differentiation but also activity of hematopoietic cells by targeting transcription factors, growth factor receptors, and specific transcripts involved in the modulation of cellular responses to external stimuli. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of miRNA expression and function during hematopoiesis and discuss controversies and future directions.

Toxicogenomic profiling of chemically exposed humans in risk assessment

Gene-environment interactions contribute to complex disease development. The environmental contribution, in particular low-level and prevalent environmental exposures, may constitute much of the risk and contribute substantially to disease. Systematic risk evaluation of the majority of human chemical exposures, has not been conducted and is a goal of regulatory agencies in the U.S. and worldwide. With the recent recognition that toxicological approaches more predictive of effects in humans are required for risk assessment, in vitro human cell line data as well as animal data are being used to identify toxicity mechanisms that can be translated into biomarkers relevant to human exposure studies. In this review, we discuss how data from toxicogenomic studies of exposed human populations can inform risk assessment, by generating biomarkers of exposure, early effect, and/or susceptibility, elucidating mechanisms of action underlying exposure-related disease, and detecting response at low doses. Good experimental design incorporating precise, individual exposure measurements, phenotypic anchors (pre-disease or traditional toxicological markers), and a range of relevant exposure levels, is necessary. Further, toxicogenomic studies need to be designed with sufficient power to detect true effects of the exposure. As more studies are performed and incorporated into databases such as the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) and Chemical Effects in Biological Systems (CEBS), data can be mined for classification of newly tested chemicals (hazard identification), and, for investigating the dose-response, and inter-relationship among genes, environment and disease in a systems biology approach (risk characterization).

The prognostic and functional role of microRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia

Expression of microRNAs, a new class of noncoding RNAs that hybridize to target messenger RNA and regulate their translation into proteins, has been recently demonstrated to be altered in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Distinctive patterns of increased expression and/or silencing of multiple microRNAs (microRNA signatures) have been associated with specific cytogenetic and molecular subsets of AML. Changes in the expression of several microRNAs altered in AML have been shown to have functional relevance in leukemogenesis, with some microRNAs acting as oncogenes and others as tumor suppressors. Both microRNA signatures and a single microRNA (ie, miR-181a) have been shown to supply prognostic information complementing that gained from cytogenetics, gene mutations, and altered gene expression. Moreover, it has been demonstrated experimentally that antileukemic effects can be achieved by modulating microRNA expression by pharmacologic agents and/or increasing low endogenous levels of microRNAs with tumor suppressor function by synthetic microRNA oligonucleotides, or down-regulating high endogenous levels of leukemogenic microRNAs by antisense oligonucleotides (antagomirs). Therefore, it is reasonable to predict the development of novel microRNA-based therapeutic approaches in AML. We review herein results of current studies analyzing changes of microRNA expression in AML and discuss their potential biologic, diagnostic, and prognostic relevance.

MicroRNAs as regulators of differentiation and cell fate decisions

Unique expression domains, targets, and gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes of particular microRNAs have important implications for directed differentiation of stem cell populations and suppression of undesired cell types. We discuss this emerging topic, in part using muscle differentiation as a paradigm, and highlight common themes and unique modalities by which microRNAs exert their lineage-promoting or differentiation effects on multiple tissues.

Expression of myelopoiesis-associated microRNA in bone marrow cells of atypical chronic myeloid leukaemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia

The microRNA/miR deregulation in BCR-ABL-negative myelodysplastic-myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) is not known. Myelopoiesis-associated miR-10a, miR-17-5p, miR-155, miR-223 and miR-424 were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in bone marrow cells of atypical chronic myeloid leukaemia (aCML, n = 7) and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML, n = 8) and were compared to BCR-ABL-positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML, n = 10) and non-neoplastic haematopoiesis (n = 10). Down-regulation of miR-10a was found in CMML but also in CML (each p < 0.05, versus controls). Overexpression of miR-424 was detected in aCML (p < 0.05, versus CML and controls). Despite different compositions of bone marrow cells, expression of myelopoiesis-associated microRNA shows mainly similar patterns in aCML and its main differential diagnosis CMML and does not allow discrimination of these two MDS/MPN entities. Therefore, the link of deregulated microRNA expression to disease-related phenotype and the underlying molecular mechanism are still unknown.

MicroRNA expression in maturing murine megakaryocytes

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate cellular development by interfering with mRNA stability and translation. We examined global microRNA expression during the differentiation of murine hematopoietic progenitors into megakaryocytes. Of 435 miRNAs analyzed, 13 were up-regulated and 81 were down-regulated. Many of these changes are consistent with miRNA profiling studies of human megakaryocytes and platelets, although new patterns also emerged. Among 7 conserved miRNAs that were up-regulated most strongly in murine megakaryocytes, 6 were also induced in the related erythroid lineage. MiR-146a was strongly up-regulated during mouse and human megakaryopoiesis but not erythropoiesis. However, overexpression of miR-146a in mouse bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor populations produced no detectable alterations in megakaryocyte development or platelet production in vivo or in colony assays. Our findings extend the repertoire of differentially regulated miRNAs during murine megakaryopoiesis and provide a useful new dataset for hematopoiesis research. In addition, we show that enforced hematopoietic expression of miR-146a has minimal effects on megakaryopoiesis. These results are compatible with prior studies indicating that miR-146a inhibits megakaryocyte production indirectly by suppressing inflammatory cytokine production from innate immune cells, but cast doubt on a different study, which suggests that this miRNA inhibits megakaryopoiesis cell-autonomously.

MicroRNA expression in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of diseases that are very heterogeneous with regard to cytogenetic aberrations, gene mutations, and changes in expression of numerous genes. A new class of genes known as microRNAs recently was found to be involved in myeloid leukemogenesis. These genes are transcribed into regulatory, noncoding RNAs that control mRNA and protein expression of target genes. Genome-wide analyses of microRNA expression have revealed signatures associated with selected cytogenetic and molecular subsets of AML and have led to the recognition of previously unreported molecular pathways involved in myeloid leukemogenesis. In cytogenetically normal AML, microRNA-expression profiling has also provided prognostic information in addition to that obtained from cytogenetics and analyses of gene mutations and aberrant gene expression. This article reviews recent studies that were focused on the alterations of microRNA expression in AML and their diagnostic and prognostic significance.

The tumour-suppressive miR-29a/b1 cluster is regulated by CEBPA and blocked in human AML

BACKGROUND

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (CEBPA) is crucial for normal granulopoiesis and is frequently disrupted in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Increasing evidence suggests that CEBPA exerts its effects, in parts, by regulating specific microRNAs (miRNAs), as previously shown for miR-223. The aim of this study was to investigate the genome-wide pattern of miRNAs regulated by CEBPA in myeloid cells.

METHODS

In Kasumi-1 cells, conditionally expressing CEBPA, we assessed the expression of 470 human miRNAs by microarray analysis. We further investigated the microarray results by qRT-PCR, luciferase reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.

RESULTS

In all, 18 miRNAs were more than two-fold suppressed or induced after CEBPA restoration. Among these 18 miRNAs, we focused on CEBPA-mediated regulation of the tumour-suppressive miR-29b. We observed that miR-29b is suppressed in AML patients with impaired CEBPA function or loss of chromosome 7q. We found that CEBPA selectively regulates miR-29b expression on its miR-29a/b1 locus on chromosome 7q32.3, whereas miR-29b2/c on chromosome 1q32.2 is not affected.

CONCLUSION

This study reports the activation of the tumour-suppressive miR-29b by the haematopoietic key transcription factor CEBPA. Our data provide a rationale for miR-29b suppression in AML patients with loss of chromosome 7q or CEBPA deficiency.

Secreted monocytic miR-150 enhances targeted endothelial cell migration

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that regulate target gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Here, we report that secreted miRNAs can serve as signaling molecules mediating intercellular communication. In human blood cells and cultured THP-1 cells, miR-150 was selectively packaged into microvesicles (MVs) and actively secreted. THP-1-derived MVs can enter and deliver miR-150 into human HMEC-1 cells, and elevated exogenous miR-150 effectively reduced c-Myb expression and enhanced cell migration in HMEC-1 cells. In vivo studies confirmed that intravenous injection of THP-1 MVs significantly increased the level of miR-150 in mouse blood vessels. MVs isolated from the plasma of patients with atherosclerosis contained higher levels of miR-150, and they more effectively promoted HMEC-1 cell migration than MVs from healthy donors. These results demonstrate that cells can secrete miRNAs and deliver them into recipient cells where the exogenous miRNAs can regulate target gene expression and recipient cell function.

Absence of DICER in monocytes and its regulation by HIV-1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that function to control gene expression and restrict viral replication in host cells. The production of miRNAs is believed to be dependent upon the DICER enzyme. Available evidence suggests that in T lymphocytes, HIV-1 can both suppress and co-opt the host's miRNA pathway for its own benefit. In this study, we examined the state of miRNA production in monocytes and macrophages as well as the consequences of viral infection upon the production of miRNA. Monocytes in general express low amounts of miRNA-related proteins, and DICER in particular could not be detected until after monocytes were differentiated into macrophages. In the case where HIV-1 was present prior to differentiation, the expression of DICER was suppressed. MicroRNA chip results for RNA isolated from transfected and treated cells indicated that a drop in miRNA production coincided with DICER protein suppression in macrophages. We found that the expression of DICER in monocytes is restricted by miR-106a, but HIV-1 suppressed DICER expression via the viral gene Vpr. Additionally, analysis of miRNA expression in monocytes and macrophages revealed evidence that some miRNAs can be processed by both DICER and PIWIL4. Results presented here have implications for both the pathology of viral infections in macrophages and the biogenesis of miRNAs. First, HIV-1 suppresses the expression and function of DICER in macrophages via a previously unknown mechanism. Second, the presence of miRNAs in monocytes lacking DICER indicates that some miRNAs can be generated by proteins other than DICER.

Hematopoietic differentiation: a coordinated dynamical process towards attractor stable states

Background

The differentiation process, proceeding from stem cells towards the different committed cell types, can be considered as a trajectory towards an attractor of a dynamical process. This view, taking into consideration the transcriptome and miRNome dynamics considered as a whole, instead of looking at few 'master genes' driving the system, offers a novel perspective on this phenomenon. We investigated the 'differentiation trajectories' of the hematopoietic system considering a genome-wide scenario.

Results

We developed serum-free liquid suspension unilineage cultures of cord blood (CB) CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells through erythroid (E), megakaryocytic (MK), granulocytic (G) and monocytic (Mo) pathways. These cultures recapitulate physiological hematopoiesis, allowing the analysis of almost pure unilineage precursors starting from initial differentiation of HPCs until terminal maturation. By analyzing the expression profile of protein coding genes and microRNAs in unilineage CB E, MK, G and Mo cultures, at sequential stages of differentiation and maturation, we observed a coordinated, fully interconnected and scalable character of cell population behaviour in both transcriptome and miRNome spaces reminiscent of an attractor-like dynamics. MiRNome and transcriptome space differed for a still not terminally committed behaviour of microRNAs.

Conclusions

Consistent with their roles, the transcriptome system can be considered as the state space of a cell population, while the continuously evolving miRNA space corresponds to the tuning system necessary to reach the attractor. The behaviour of miRNA machinery could be of great relevance not only for the promise of reversing the differentiated state but even for tumor biology.

Aberrant microRNA expression pattern in myelodysplastic bone marrow cells

The microRNA/miR system might contribute to deregulation of cell homeostasis/disease phenotype. This is the first approach to generate an expression profile of 365 microRNAs in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with normal karyotype (n=12) and distinct cytogenetic aberrations (n=12). In MDS-del(5q), a series of microRNAs not in the 5q-region was increased. MicroRNAs encoded on chromosomes 5, 7 and 8 were not differentially expressed in MDS with del(5q), -7 or +8. Evaluation in a larger cohort could confirm the up-regulation of the miR-1 in MDS. These findings provide evidence that MDS-haematopoiesis is distinct in its microRNA-expression pattern from non-neoplastic cells.

Transcriptome study for early hematopoiesis--achievement, challenge and new opportunity

Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells are the source for the entire hematopoietic system. Studying gene expression in hematopoietic stem progenitor cells will provide information to understand the genetic programs controlling early hematopoiesis, and to identify the gene targets to interfere hematopoietic disorders. Extensive efforts using cell biology, molecular biology, and genomics approaches have generated rich knowledge for the genes and functional pathways involving in early hematopoiesis. Challenges remain, however, including the rarity of the hematopoietic stem progenitor cells that set physical limitation for the study, the difficulty for reaching comprehensive transcriptome detection under the conventional genomics technologies, and the difficulty for using conventional biological methods to identify the key genes among large number of expressed genes controlling stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The newly developed single-cell transcriptome method and the next-generation DNA sequencing technology provide new opportunities for transcriptome study for early hematopoietic. Using systems biology approach may reveal the insight of the genetic mechanisms controlling early hematopoiesis.

Micro-RNA response to imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) control gene expression by destabilizing targeted transcripts and inhibiting their translation. Aberrant expression of miRNAs has been described in many human cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia. Current first-line therapy for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia is imatinib mesylate, which typically produces a rapid hematologic response. However the effect of imatinib on miRNA expression in vivo has not been thoroughly examined.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Using a TaqMan Low-Density Array system, we analyzed miRNA expression in blood samples from newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia patients before and within the first two weeks of imatinib therapy. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate imatinib-modulated miRNAs in sequential primary chronic myeloid leukemia samples (n=11, plus 12 additional validation patients). Bioinformatic target gene prediction analysis was performed based on changes in miRNA expression.

RESULTS

We observed increased expression of miR-150 and miR-146a, and reduced expression of miR-142-3p and miR-199b-5p (3-fold median change) after two weeks of imatinib therapy. A significant correlation (P<0.05) between the Sokal score and pre-treatment miR-142-3p levels was noted. Expression changes in the same miRNAs were consistently found in an additional cohort of chronic myeloid leukemia patients, as compared to healthy subjects. Peripheral blood cells from chronic phase and blast crisis patients displayed a 30-fold lower expression of miR-150 compared to normal samples, which is of particular interest since c-Myb, a known target of miR-150, was recently shown to be necessary for Bcr-Abl-mediated transformation.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that imatinib treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia patients rapidly normalizes the characteristic miRNA expression profile, suggesting that miRNAs may serve as a novel clinically useful biomarker in this disease.

HOXA9 regulates miR-155 in hematopoietic cells

HOXA9-mediated up-regulation of miR-155 was noted during an array-based analysis of microRNA expression in Hoxa9(-/-)bone marrow (BM) cells. HOXA9 induction of miR-155 was confirmed in these samples, as well as in wild-type versus Hoxa9-deficient marrow, using northern analysis and qRT-PCR. Infection of wild-type BM with HOXA9 expressing or GFP(+) control virus further confirmed HOXA9-mediated regulation of miR-155. miR-155 expression paralleled Hoxa9 mRNA expression in fractionated BM progenitors, being highest in the stem cell enriched pools. HOXA9 capacity to induce myeloid colony formation was blunted in miR-155-deficient BM cells, indicating that miR-155 is a downstream mediator of HOXA9 function in blood cells. Pu.1, an important regulator of myelopoiesis, was identified as a putative down stream target for miR-155. Although miR-155 was shown to down-regulate the Pu.1 protein, HOXA9 did not appear to modulate Pu.1 expression in murine BM cells.