MicroRNA-155 contributes to plexiform neurofibroma growth downstream of MEK.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that can have large impacts on oncogenic pathways. Possible functions of dysregulated miRs have not been studied in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs). In PNFs, Schwann cells (SCs) have biallelic NF1 mutations necessary for tumorigenesis. We analyzed a miR microarray comparing with normal and PNF SCs and identified differences in miR expression, and we validated in mouse PNFs versus normal mouse SCs by qRT-PCR. Among these, miR-155 was a top overexpressed miR, and its expression was regulated by RAS/MAPK signaling. Overexpression of miR-155 increased mature Nf1^-/- mouse SC proliferation. In SC precursors, which model tumor-initiating cells, pharmacological and genetic inhibition of miR-155 decreased PNF-derive

SUBMITTER: Na Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7867646 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature