Expression of JAK2 and MicroRNA-216a in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) gene functions in JAK/STAT signaling pathway which is one the most important pathways to transfer the effect of growth factors and cytokines to the cell nucleus. Cell growth, differentiation and migration occur after JAK2 is activated. Moreover, overexpression of miR-216a markedly inhibits the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and tumor growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of miR-216a and JAK2 as its target gene in AML patients.
In this case-control study, the miR-216a and JAK2 expression was investigated in 60 AML patients admitted to Mirza Chochak Khane Jangali Hospital and 34 healthy individuals from Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran in 2015-2016. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression of these genes was evaluated using Real-time PCR (ΔΔCT computational).
JAK2 gene expression was significantly increased in patients (P=0.0023). Meanwhile, miR-216a expression decreased in healthy individuals (P=0.1361). No significant relationship was observed between variables of age, sex, PLT, HGB, and FAB subtype and expression of the genes (P>0.05). However, a significant relationship was observed between variables of WBC and Blasts and expression of genes.
Expression of miR-216a and JAK2 can therefore be used as a diagnostic agent. They can have a role in prognosis of patients with AML.