Downregulation of <i>IRAIN</i> long non-coding RNA predicts unfavourable clinical outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia patients

Although it has been shown that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF1R) antisense imprinted non-protein coding RNA (IRAIN) is downregulated in leukaemia cell lines, its usefulness as a prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Here, we sought to determine whether the expression of IRAIN is associated with clinical outcome of AML patients. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), IRAIN expression levels were assessed in peripheral blood leukocyte samples from 150 patients with AML and 50 healthy controls. Analysis was done on the relationship between IRAIN expression and clinical outcomes in AML patients. When compared to healthy controls, IRAIN expression was markedly reduced in AML patients (P = 0.019). IRAIN expression could distinguish French-American-British (FAB) subtypes of AML (P = 0.024). Low IRAIN expression status was associated with shorter event-free survival (EFS) in the non-t(15;17) cytogenetically abnormal AML subset (P = 0.004). IRAIN downregulation was identified as an independent adverse prognostic marker for complete remission (CR) not only in the in the non-t(15;17) cytogenetically abnormal AML subset (P = 0.006) but also in the AML-M4/M5 subgroup (P = 0.033). Aberrantly low IRAIN expression is closely associated with lower CR rates in AML patients, particularly in non-t(15;17) cytogenetically abnormal AML and M4/M5 AML, suggesting that the determination of IRAIN expression level at diagnosis provides valuable prognostic information, serves as a promising biomarker for evaluating treatment response, and helps predicting clinical outcome of AML patients.</p

Elevated <i>Mirc1/Mir17-92</i> cluster expression negatively regulates autophagy and CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) function in CF macrophages

<p>Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal, genetic disorder that critically affects the lungs and is directly caused by mutations in the <i>CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)</i> gene, resulting in defective CFTR function. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a highly regulated biological process that provides energy during periods of stress and starvation. Autophagy clears pathogens and dysfunctional protein aggregates within macrophages. However, this process is impaired in CF patients and CF mice, as their macrophages exhibit limited autophagy activity. The study of microRNAs (<i>Mirs</i>), and other noncoding RNAs, continues to offer new therapeutic targets. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of <i>Mirs</i> in dysregulated autophagy-related genes in CF macrophages, and then target them to restore this host-defense function and improve CFTR channel function. We identified the <i>Mirc1/Mir17-92</i> cluster as a potential negative regulator of autophagy as CF macrophages exhibit decreased autophagy protein expression and increased cluster expression when compared to wild-type (WT) counterparts. The absence or reduced expression of the cluster increases autophagy protein expression, suggesting the canonical inverse relationship between <i>Mirc1/Mir17-92</i> and autophagy gene expression. An <i>in silico</i> study for targets of <i>Mirs</i> that comprise the cluster suggested that the majority of the <i>Mirs</i> target autophagy mRNAs. Those targets were validated by luciferase assays. Notably, the ability of macrophages expressing mutant F508del CFTR to transport halide through their membranes is compromised and can be restored by downregulation of these inherently elevated <i>Mirs</i>, via restoration of autophagy. In vivo, downregulation of <i>Mir17</i> and <i>Mir20a</i> partially restored autophagy expression and hence improved the clearance of <i>Burkholderia cenocepacia</i>. Thus, these data advance our understanding of mechanisms underlying the pathobiology of CF and provide a new therapeutic platform for restoring CFTR function and autophagy in patients with CF.</p