Expression of miR-485-3p and its Target FOXD3 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Previous investigations have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and that the expression of miRNAs, such as miR-485-3p changes in several illnesses. This study was designed to determine the expression level of miR-485-3p and its target FOXD3 in CLL patients and controls to identify if this miRNA has the potential to be considered as a biomarker in CLL.

A total of 35 CLL patients and the same number of controls were recruited. Following total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, quantitative analysis was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the SYBR Green PCR Master Mix to determine the expression level of miR-485-3p and its target. Moreover, in silico molecular enrichment analysis was conducted on targetome of miR-485-3p.

It was observed that the expression level of miR-485-3p was upregulated in CLL patients compared with controls (p<0.009). However, the expression profile of miR-485-3p’s target (FOXD3) was significantly downregulated in patients in comparison with the control group (p<0.02).

Based on the results, miR-485-3p could be a novel biomarker to diagnose CLL and to design novel CLL control strategies by targeting FOXD3.