MiRNA-181b-5p Modulates Cell Proliferation, Cell Cycle, and Apoptosis by Targeting in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs can negatively influence the expression of their downstream genes, thereby affecting the development of human cancers. The pathogenesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is complex and more biomarkers and functional molecules need to be found. We attempted to reveal the specific mechanisms and functions of miRNA-181b-5p in ALL and investigated the effects of the miRNA-181b-5p/ axis on ALL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bioinformatics analyses were initially performed to screen out differentially expressed miRNAs in ALL and determine the research subject. qRT-PCR and western blotting were applied to evaluate the expression levels of target genes. Cell function experiments and mouse experiments were conducted to analyze the roles of the target genes in ALL.

RESULTS

miRNA-181b-5p was highly and differentially expressed in ALL and may target . The upregulation of miRNA-181b-5p and downregulation of were observed in ALL cells. miRNA-181b-5p could control multiple pathological processes of ALL, including cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and apoptosis, and miRNA-181b-5p could also facilitate tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

miRNA-181b-5p promoted the malignant progression of ALL by downregulating . The miRNA-181b-5p/ axis may be a promising target for intervention against the malignant behaviors of ALL.