Identification of the human mature B cell miRNome

Immunity. 2009 May;30(5):744-52. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2009.03.017. Epub 2009 May 14.

Abstract

The full set of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the human genome is not known. Because presently known miRNAs have been identified by virtue of their abundant expression in a few cell types, many tissue-specific miRNAs remain unrevealed. To understand the role of miRNAs in B cell function and lymphomagenesis, we generated short-RNA libraries from normal human B cells at different stages of development (naive, germinal center, memory) and from a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. A combination of cloning and computational analysis identified 178 miRNAs (miRNome) expressed in normal and/or transformed B cell libraries. Most notably, the B cell miRNome included 75 miRNAs which to our knowledge have not been previously reported and of which 66 have been validated by RNA blot and/or RT-PCR analyses. Numerous miRNAs were expressed in a stage- or transformation-specific fashion in B cells, suggesting specific functional or pathologic roles. These results provide a resource for studying the role of miRNAs in B cell development, immune function, and lymphomagenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dogs
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Haplorhini
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / analysis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Palatine Tonsil / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • MicroRNAs