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-485-3p changes in several illnesses. This study was designed to determine the expression level of miR-485-3p and its target FOXD3 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 35 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-485-3p and its target. Moreover, in silico molecular enrichment analysis was conducted on targetome of miR-485-3p.
Results: It was observed that the expression level of miR-485-3p was upregulated in CLL patients compared with controls (p<0.009). However, the expression profile of miR-485-3p’s target (FOXD3) was significantly downregulated in patients in comparison with the control group (p<0.02).
Conclusions: Based on the results, miR-485-3p could be a novel biomarker to diagnose CLL and to design novel CLL control strategies by targeting FOXD3.