microRNA-23a, -27a and -24 synergistically regulate JAK1/Stat3 cascade and serve as novel therapeutic targets in human acute erythroid leukemia

Oncogene. 2016 Nov 17;35(46):6001-6014. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.127. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Abstract

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) is characterized by lower incidence, poorer prognosis and worse survival than other types of leukemia and results from collaboration of malignant proliferation and erythroid differentiation blockage. The expression, function and therapeutic significance of noncoding RNAs in AEL have not been well studied. Here, we show that one miRNA cluster, including miR-23a, -27a and -24, is dramatically downregulated in AEL patients. Restoration of miR-23a, -27a and -24 expression induces apoptosis and erythropoiesis, inhibits adverse growth and partly relieves the leukemic symptoms of AEL patients. At the whole-genome scale, we identify that miR-23a, -27a and -24 synergistically target multiple members of the oncogenic gp130-JAK1-Stat3 pathway, and thus reinforce their inhibition on the cascade to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. Importantly, Ruxolitinib, a JAK1 inhibitor, could rescue the phenotypic changes induced by miR-23a, -27a and -24 inhibitors. Furthermore, miR-23a cluster-mediated-inactivation of the JAK1-Stat3 pathway promotes the expression and activity of GATA1 via inhibiting PU.1, thereby improving erythroid differentiation. Collectively, we reveal an important regulatory circuit comprising GATA1, the miR-23a cluster and gp130-JAK1-Stat3 pathway, that synergistically facilitates apoptosis and erythropoiesis and restrains adverse proliferation, indicating the therapeutic significance of miR-23a, -27a and -24 for AEL treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Janus Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / pathology
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Multigene Family
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • GATA1 Transcription Factor
  • MIRN23a microRNA, human
  • MIRN24 microRNA, human
  • MIRN27 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Janus Kinase 1

Supplementary concepts

  • Acute erythroleukemia