Anti-leukemic activity of microRNA-26a in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia mouse model

Oncogene. 2017 Nov 23;36(47):6617-6626. doi: 10.1038/onc.2017.269. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Abstract

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The Eμ-TCL1 transgenic mouse develops a form of leukemia that is similar to the aggressive type of human B-CLL, and this valuable model has been widely used for testing novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we adopted this model to investigate the potential effects of miR-26a, miR-130an and antimiR-155 in CLL therapy. Improved delivery of miRNA molecules into CLL cells was obtained by developing a novel system based on lipid nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. This methodology has proven to be highly effective in delivering miRNA molecules into leukemic cells. Short- and long-term experiments showed that miR-26a, miR-130a and anti-miR-155 increased apoptosis after in vitro and in vivo treatment. Of this miRNA panel, miR-26a was the most effective in reducing leukemic cell expansion. Following long-term treatment, apoptosis was readily detectable by analyzing cleavage of PARP and caspase-7. These effects could be directly attributed to miR-26a, as confirmed by significant downregulation of its proven targets, namely cyclin-dependent kinase 6 and Mcl1. The results of this study are relevant to two distinct areas. The first is related to the design of a technical strategy and to the selection of CD38 as a molecular target on CLL cells, both consenting efficient and specific intracellular transfer of miRNA. The original scientific finding inferred from the above approach is that miR-26a can elicit in vivo anti-leukemic activities mediated by increased apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / chemistry
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Caspase 7 / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / genetics
  • Down-Regulation
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / genetics
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / administration & dosage
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use*
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / genetics
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Lipids
  • MIRN130 microRNA, mouse
  • Mcl1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn155 microRNA, mouse
  • Mirn26 microRNA, mouse
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Tcl1 protein, mouse
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • Cdk6 protein, mouse
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6
  • Cd38 protein, mouse
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1
  • Casp7 protein, mouse
  • Caspase 7