Dysregulation of microRNAs and their association in the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphoma/leukemias

Int J Hematol. 2014;99(5):542-52. doi: 10.1007/s12185-014-1535-9. Epub 2014 Feb 25.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding regulatory RNAs consisting of 20-24 nucleotides. Over 4,500 miRNAs have been identified in humans, and it is known that nearly all human protein-encoding genes can be controlled by miRNAs in both healthy and malignant cells. Abnormal miRNA expression is known to occur in many cancers, including in malignant lymphomas (MLs). Detailed genome-wide miRNA expression analysis has been performed in various ML subtypes, and these analyses have led to the discovery of subtype-specific miRNA alterations. Actually, in B-cell lymphomas, several miRNAs have been used as prognostic markers, and their targets are for new agents for ML therapy. Successful studies for delineating miRNA functions in B-cell lymphomas lead us to hypothesize that miRNA dysregulation may also be deeply associated with the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphomas. Indeed, studies for delineating essential miRNAs have been conduced against comparatively well-defined T-cell lymphoma entities. In this review, we describe several key miRNAs and their targets in distinct T-cell lymphoma subsets and their roles in their pathogenesis, studies of which will lead to new therapeutic strategies against T-cell lymphomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes, myc
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / genetics*
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • RNA Interference*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs