MicroRNAs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders

Figure 1

Schematic mechanism of miR-15/107 family alterations in hematopoietic disorders. Decreased expression of miR-15/107 family members is found in malignant cells from AML (acute myeloid leukemia), CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), and MM (multiple myeloma) patients. The underexpression of miR-15/107 may also contribute to increased immunosuppressive regulatory B (Breg) and T cells (Treg), which further promote the expansion and survival of malignant cells. In contrast, with increased miR-15/107, there may be a loss of immunosuppression that leads to SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) development and antitumor responses. In the therapeutically induced differentiated AML cells, and terminally differentiated B cells, plasma cells (with decreased B-cell-specific activator protein (BSAP), the negative regulator of miR-15a/16-1), miR-15/107 family members would be upregulated, leading to the loss of malignant potential and an increase in differentiation function (SLE).