miR-146aExpression Level as a Novel Putative Prognostic Marker for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Background. Although the curative rate for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been improved over decades, long-term prognosis is still poor. The genetic pathways that regulated cell lineage fate during the development of APL remain unclear.Methods. We investigated the correlations ofmiR-146aexpression with its target gene Smad4 and the biological behaviors of NB4cells. We also analyzed their expression in clinical samples from APL patients.Results.miR-146ainfluenced apoptosis and proliferation in NB4cells.miR-146ainfluenced endogenous Smad4 protein levels in APL cells.miR-146aexpression levels were positively correlated with white cell counts and PML/RARαfusion protein expression.miR-146aexpression levels were negatively correlated with Smad4 protein and the helper T cell (Th)/the suppressor T cell (Ts) ratio in these patients.Conclusions. These findings indicated thatmiR-146aplayed an important role in the development of APL in part through the repression on Smad4 protein expression.miR-146afunctioned as an oncogene and may be a novel prognostic biomarker in APL.