MicroRNAs as Modulators of the Immune Response in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 13;23(2):829. doi: 10.3390/ijms23020829.

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is an aggressive haematological tumour driven by the malignant transformation and expansion of B-cell (B-ALL) or T-cell (T-ALL) progenitors. The evolution of T-ALL pathogenesis encompasses different master developmental pathways, including the main role played by Notch in cell fate choices during tissue differentiation. Recently, a growing body of evidence has highlighted epigenetic changes, particularly the altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), as a critical molecular mechanism to sustain T-ALL. The immune response is emerging as key factor in the complex multistep process of cancer but the role of miRNAs in anti-leukaemia response remains elusive. In this review we analyse the available literature on miRNAs as tuners of the immune response in T-ALL, focusing on their role in Natural Killer, T, T-regulatory and Myeloid-derived suppressor cells. A better understanding of this molecular crosstalk may provide the basis for the development of potential immunotherapeutic strategies in the leukemia field.

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; MDSC; Natural Killer cells; Notch; T and regulatory T cells; microRNA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Disease Progression
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / metabolism
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / etiology*
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • RNA Interference
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs