Alterations in The Plasma Expression of mir-۱۵b, mir-۱۹۵ and the Tumor-Suppressor Gene DLEU۷ in Patients with B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background : Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most prevalent forms of leukemia in adults. Inactivation of the DLEU۷ gene is frequently observed in patients with CLL. Furthermore, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been observed to have a critical role in the pathogenesis of several cancers, including leukemia. Considering the tumor-suppressive role of DLEU۷, as well as the tumor suppressor or oncogenic role of microRNAs (miRNAs), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential miRNAs targeting the DLEU۷ gene in B-cells and explore expression changes these genes in the plasma of B-CLL patients. Methods: The miRNAs interacting with the DLEU۷ gene were predicted and selected using bioinformatics tools. A total of ۸۰ plasma samples were collected from ۴۰ patients with B-cells and ۴۰ healthy individuals, then subjected to RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. The expression profiles of the predicted miRNAs and the DLEU۷ gene in the plasma of B-CLL patients and healthy individuals were determined by RT-qPCR analysis. Results:The bioinformatics prediction indicated that miR-۱۵b and miR-۱۹۵ target the DLEU۷ gene. The expression levels of miR-۱۵b and miR-۱۹۵ were significantly higher in the plasma of patients with BCLL compared to the healthy individuals (۹۱.۶, p= ۰.۰۰۱) (۱۶۹, p= ۰.۰۰۱). However, the expression level of the DLEU۷ gene was found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to healthy controls (۰.۳۰۴, p= ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusions: Both miR-۱۵b and miR-۱۹۵, have the potential to function as novel and non-invasive biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with B-CLL.

Keywords:

B-CLL , miRNA , Biomarker , DLEU۷ , RT-QPCR.