Abstract

Background and Objectives

MicroRNAs play a crucial role in controlling the innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammation, cell growth, and apoptosis by regulating gene expression at post-transcriptional level. In addition, many microRNAs act as oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and the mediators of cancer stem cells. MiR-146a is one of the important microRNAs in inflammatory diseases and tumors which has a dual effect on cancers and acts as a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-146a in multiple myeloma cell lines (L363, LP1, RPMI 8226 and KMM1) in comparison with normal leukocytes.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, four myeloma cell lines and peripheral blood leukocytes isolated from healthy individuals were cultured under specific conditions. After RNA extraction, miR-146a expression was measured by quantitative Real Time PCR.

Results

The research results showed that the expression of miR-146a in multiple myeloma cell lines was significantly decreased compared with normal leukocytes. Data analysis also revealed that the expression of miR-146a was decreased in average of 0.32 ± 0.2 folds in L363 cell line and for LP1, RPMI 8226, and KMM1 cell lines in average of 0.03 ± 0.07, 0.0035 ± 0.02, 0.0022±0.001 folds, respectively (p < 0.01).

Conclusions 

The researchers' results suggest that miR-146a can act as a tumor suppressor in leukocytes, and the decreased expression of this microRNA in myeloma cells is likely to be effective at the onset and progression of multiple myeloma.