Disruption of the C/EBPα-miR-182 balance impairs granulocytic differentiation

Nat Commun. 2017 Jun 29;8(1):46. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00032-6.

Abstract

Transcription factor C/EBPα is a master regulator of myelopoiesis and its inactivation is associated with acute myeloid leukemia. Deregulation of C/EBPα by microRNAs during granulopoiesis or acute myeloid leukemia development has not been studied. Here we show that oncogenic miR-182 is a strong regulator of C/EBPα. Moreover, we identify a regulatory loop between C/EBPα and miR-182. While C/EBPα blocks miR-182 expression by direct promoter binding during myeloid differentiation, enforced expression of miR-182 reduces C/EBPα protein level and impairs granulopoiesis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, miR-182 expression is highly elevated particularly in acute myeloid leukemia patients with C-terminal CEBPA mutations, thereby depicting a mechanism by which C/EBPα blocks miR-182 expression. Furthermore, we present miR-182 expression as a prognostic marker in cytogenetically high-risk acute myeloid leukemia patients. Our data demonstrate the importance of a controlled balance between C/EBPα and miR-182 for the maintenance of healthy granulopoiesis.C/EBPα is a critical transcription factor involved in myelopoiesis and its inactivation is associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here the authors show a negative feedback loop between C/EBPα and miR-182 and identify this miRNA as a marker of high-risk AML.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Granulocytes*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Leukopoiesis / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • CEBPA protein, human
  • CEBPA protein, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn182 microRNA, human
  • Mirn182 microRNA, mouse