Open AccessMicroRNA‑425 inhibits proliferation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells through regulation of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase/phospholipase Cγ2 signalling pathway
Author(s) -
Jianying Chen,
Yuhua Li,
Xiaoling Xie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
experimental and therapeutic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1792-1015
pISSN - 1792-0981
DOI - 10.3892/etm.2020.8771
Subject(s) - bruton's tyrosine kinase , cell growth , microbiology and biotechnology , transfection , cell cycle , oncogene , biology , flow cytometry , microrna , tyrosine kinase , mtt assay , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , cell , chemistry , cancer research , signal transduction , cell culture , biochemistry , gene , genetics
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-425 on the proliferation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells and the possible underlying mechanisms. The expression of miR-425 was determined in the B lymphocytes of CLL patients and in normal B lymphocytes by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In addition, MEC-1 cells transfected with miR-425 negative control (NC) or miR-425 mimic were examined. The cell proliferation of different groups was evaluated using an MTT assay, and cell cycle distribution was evaluated using flow cytometry analysis. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) was a target of miR-425. Furthermore, the expression levels of BTK, phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2), Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were determined by RT-qPCR and western blotting. The results revealed that the expression of miR-425 was significantly downregulated in B lymphocytes obtained from CLL patients as compared with that in normal B lymphocytes. When cells were transfected with miR-425 mimic, the proliferation of MEC-1 cells was significantly inhibited at 24, 48 and 72 h compared with the proliferation of control cells. Additionally, the ratio of G0/G1 cells was significantly increased and the ratio of G2/M cells was significantly decreased in miR-425-overexpressing cells compared with that in control cells. The luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-425 binds to the 3'-untranslated region of BTK mRNA. Finally, BTK, PLCγ2, Ki-67 and PCNA expression was significantly inhibited at the mRNA and protein level in cells where miR-425 was upregulated. In conclusion, miR-425 inhibits the proliferation of MEC-1 cells, potentially by inhibiting BTK/PLCγ2 signalling, and Ki-67 and PCNA expression levels. These results provide a deeper insight for understanding the development of CLL and suggest a potential novel target for the treatment of CLL patients.