miR-150, a microRNA expressed in mature B and T cells, blocks early B cell development when expressed prematurely

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Apr 24;104(17):7080-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0702409104. Epub 2007 Apr 16.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of approximately 22-nt noncoding RNAs that can posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression. Several miRNAs are specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells. Here we show that one such miRNA, miR-150, is mainly expressed in the lymph nodes and spleen and is highly up-regulated during the development of mature T and B cells; expression of miR-150 is sharply up-regulated at the immature B cell stage. Overexpression of miR-150 in hematopoietic stem cells, followed by bone marrow transplantation, had little effect on the formation of either mature CD8- and CD4-positive T cells or granulocytes or macrophages, but the formation of mature B cells was greatly impaired. Furthermore, premature expression of miR-150 blocked the transition from the pro-B to the pre-B stage. Our results indicate that miR-150 most likely down-regulates mRNAs that are important for pre- and pro-B cell formation or function, and its ectopic expression in these cells blocks further development of B cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • MicroRNAs