Expression of miR-۴۸۵-۳p and its Target FOXD۳ in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background and Aims: 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-۴۸۵-۳p changes in several illnesses. This study was designed to determine the expression level of miR-۴۸۵-۳p and its target FOXD۳ in CLL patients and controls to identify if this miRNA has the potential to be considered as a biomarker in CLL. Materials and Methods: A total of ۳۵ 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-۴۸۵-۳p and its target. Moreover, in silico molecular enrichment analysis was conducted on targetome of miR-۴۸۵-۳p. Results: It was observed that the expression level of miR-۴۸۵-۳p was upregulated in CLL patients compared with controls (p<۰.۰۰۹). However, the expression profile of miR-۴۸۵-۳p’s target (FOXD۳) was significantly downregulated in patients in comparison with the control group (p<۰.۰۲). Conclusions: Based on the results, miR-۴۸۵-۳p could be a novel biomarker to diagnose CLL and to design novel CLL control strategies by targeting FOXD۳.