Role of miR-125b and miR-203 expressions in the pathogenesis of BCR-ABL+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Abstract Background The BCR-ABL + Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) has been implicated with poor prognosis and drug resistance due to aberrant miRNA expression. Recent evidences also indicate that dysregulated miRNAs interfere with the normal epigenetic and genetic pathways to cause leukemogenesis in BCR-ABL + ALL. Thereby, the current study aims at investigating the dysregulated miRNAs and their role in pathogenesis of BCR-ABL + ALL. Methods The ALL cases were diagnosed by cytochemistry, flow cytometry and the BCR-ABL + translocation was determined using Qualitative Multiplex RT-PCR. The miRNA and mRNA expression levels in BCR-ABL positive cases were studied using Quantitative RT–PCR analysis. Results One hundred and twenty cases were diagnosed for Acute Leukemia (AL). Among them, 85 cases were positive for ALL. The B-ALL precursor markers CD19, CD10 and CD22 were predominantly present in 70 cases, with twelve cases of ALL being positive for BCR-ABL + translocation. By qRT-PCR analysis in BCR-ABL + ALL cases, we identified that miR-203 was downregulated and miR-125b was upregulated with decreased p53 expression and increased survivin expression. Conclusion Hence, the present work suggests a molecular based relationship between miRNA expression and leukemogenesis in BCR-ABL + ALL.