MicroRNA187 overexpression is related to tumor progression and determines sensitivity to bortezomib in peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Leukemia. 2014 Apr;28(4):880-7. doi: 10.1038/leu.2013.291. Epub 2013 Oct 9.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in tumorigenesis by regulating tumor suppressor genes and/or oncogenes. MiR187 was overexpressed in peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) and associated with high Ki67 expression, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, advanced International Prognostic Index and poor prognosis of patients. In vitro, ectopic expression of miR187 in T-lymphoma cell lines accelerated tumor cell proliferation, whereas treatment with miR187 inhibitor reduced cell growth. MiR187 downregulated tumor suppressor gene disabled homolog-2 (Dab2), decreased the interaction of Dab2 with adapter protein Grb2, resulting in Ras activation, phosphorylation/activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT, and subsequent stabilization of MYC oncoprotein. MiR187-overexpressing cells were resistant to chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin and gemcitabine, but sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Bortezomib inhibited T-lymphoma cell proliferation by downregulating miR187, dephosphorylating ERK and AKT and degrading MYC. In a murine xenograft model established with subcutaneous injection of Jurkat cells, bortezomib particularly retarded the growth of miR187-overexpressing tumors, consistent with the downregulation of miR187, Ki67 and MYC expression. Collectively, these findings indicated that miR187 was related to tumor progression in PTCL-NOS through modulating Ras-mediated ERK/AKT/MYC axis. Although potentially oncogenic, miR187 indicated the sensitivity of T-lymphoma cells to bortezomib. Cooperatively targeting ERK and AKT could be a promising clinical strategy in treating MYC-driven lymphoid malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Boronic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Bortezomib
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Progression
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / genetics
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / pathology
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / physiology
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boronic Acids
  • MIRN187 microRNA, human
  • MYC protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Pyrazines
  • Bortezomib
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases