MicroRNA-150 expression induces myeloid differentiation of human acute leukemia cells and normal hematopoietic progenitors

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 24;8(9):e75815. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075815. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and blast crisis (BC) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) normal differentiation is impaired. Differentiation of immature stem/progenitor cells is critical for normal blood cell function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that interfere with gene expression by degrading messenger RNAs (mRNAs) or blocking protein translation. Aberrant miRNA expression is a feature of leukemia and miRNAs also play a significant role in normal hematopoiesis and differentiation. We have identified miRNAs differentially expressed in AML and BC CML and identified a new role for miR-150 in myeloid differentiation. Expression of miR-150 is low or absent in BC CML and AML patient samples and cell lines. We have found that expression of miR-150 in AML cell lines, CD34+ progenitor cells from healthy individuals, and primary BC CML and AML patient samples at levels similar to miR-150 expression in normal bone marrow promotes myeloid differentiation of these cells. MYB is a direct target of miR-150, and we have identified that the observed phenotype is partially mediated by MYB. In AML cell lines, differentiation of miR-150 expressing cells occurs independently of retinoic acid receptor α (RARA) signaling. High-throughput gene expression profiling (GEP) studies of the AML cell lines HL60, PL21, and THP-1 suggest that activation of CEPBA, CEBPE, and cytokines associated with myeloid differentiation in miR-150 expressing cells as compared to control cells contributes to myeloid differentiation. These data suggest that miR-150 promotes myeloid differentiation, a previously uncharacterized role for this miRNA, and that absent or low miR-150 expression contributes to blocked myeloid differentiation in acute leukemia cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • MIRN150 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RARA protein, human
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha