Characterizing tumor suppressive functions of microRNAs in B-cell neoplasia

描述（由申请人提供）：B细胞淋巴瘤是一个重要的临床问题，随着美国人口的老龄化，其发病率和患病率正在上升。B细胞淋巴瘤的最常见亚型，弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤，是由处于抗原活化和分化成浆细胞的不同阶段的成熟B细胞引起的疾病。近年来，研究发现，微小RNA（microRNAs，miRNAs）是一种调节基因表达的小分子RNA，与肿瘤发生和发育调控密切相关。该提案概述了一项为期5年的研究计划，以揭示两种肿瘤抑制miRNA miR-34a和miR-146a在B细胞淋巴瘤发病机制中的作用，了解它们在B细胞活化中的发育作用，并评估它们的作用机制。我们提出以下假设：（i）miR-34a和miR-146a调节B细胞活化和浆细胞分化;（ii）这两种miRNA的失调有助于B细胞恶性肿瘤的发病机制;（iii）它们在发展和恶性肿瘤中的作用机制与它们对几个关键靶点的调节有关。我们将结合基因定义的小鼠模型，逆转录病毒转导系统，骨髓移植，高通量方法，生物信息学和假设驱动的个体靶点研究来了解miRNA在发育和肿瘤发生中的作用。这一建议是显著的翻译和未来的发展方向包括诊断和治疗应用的miRNA。所有必要的方法、培训、资源、指导和人员都已到位，以成功实现这些目标。这些目标的完成有望大大增加我们对关键生物和病理过程的理解。也许最重要的是，它将为治疗患有毁灭性恶性B细胞疾病的患者带来一种非常有前途的方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): B-cell lymphoma is a significant clinical problem that is rising in incidence and prevalence as the American population ages. The most common subtype of B-cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, is a disease which arises from mature B-cells at various stages of antigenic activation and differentiation into plasma cells. Recently, it has become apparent that microRNAs (miRNAs), small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, are intimately involved in oncogenesis and developmental regulation. This proposal outlines a 5-year research plan to unravel the role of two tumor- suppressor miRNAs, miR-34a and miR-146a, in B-cell lymphoma pathogenesis, to understand their developmental roles in B-cell activation and to evaluate their mechanism of action. We propose the following hypotheses: (i) miR-34a and miR-146a regulate B-cell activation and plasma cell differentiation (ii) Dysregulation of these two miRNAs contributes to the pathogenesis of B-cell malignancies and (iii) the mechanism of their action in both development and malignancy relates to their regulation of several critical targets. We will use a combination of genetically defined murine models, retroviral transduction systems, bone marrow transplantation, high-throughput approaches, bioinformatics, and hypothesis-driven investigation of individual targets to understand the role of miRNAs in development and oncogenesis. This proposal is eminently translational and future directions include the development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of miRNAs. All of the necessary methodology, training, resources, mentorship and personnel are in place for the successful completion of these goals. The completion of these goals promises to significantly increase our understanding of critical biological and pathological processes. Perhaps most importantly, it will bring forward a highly promising approach to treatment of patients who suffer from devastating malignant diseases of B-cells.