NEAT1 Long Isoform Is Highly Expressed in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Irrespectively of Cytogenetic Groups or Clinical Outcome.

Abstract

The biological role and therapeutic potential of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are still open questions. Herein, we investigated the significance of the lncRNA NEAT1 in CLL. We examined NEAT1 expression in 310 newly diagnosed Binet A patients, in normal CD19+ B-cells, and other types of B-cell malignancies. Although global NEAT1 expression level was not statistically different in CLL cells compared to normal B cells, the median ratio of NEAT1_2 long isoform and global NEAT1 expression in CLL samples was significantly higher than in other groups. NEAT1_2 was more expressed in patients carrying mutated IGHV genes. Concerning cytogenetic aberrations, NEAT1_2 expression in CLL with trisomy 12 was lower with respect to patients without alterations. Although global NEAT1 expression appeared not to be associated with clinical outcome, patients with the lowest NEAT1_2 expression displayed the shortest time to first treatment; however, a multivariate regression analysis showed that the NEAT1_2 risk model was not independent from other known prognostic factors, particularly the IGHV mutational status. Overall, our data prompt future studies to investigate whether the increased amount of the long NEAT1_2 isoform detected in CLL cells may have a specific role in the pathology of the disease.

• Authors: Domenica Ronchetti, Vanessa Favasuli, Paola Monti, Giovanna Cutrona, Sonia Fabris, Ilaria Silvestris, Luca Agnelli, Monica Colombo, Paola Menichini, Serena Matis, Massimo Gentile, Ramil Nurtdinov, Roderic Guigó, Luca Baldini, Gilberto Fronza, Manlio Ferrarini, Fortunato Morabito, Antonino Neri, Elisa Taiana
• Journal: Non-coding RNA (Noncoding RNA) Vol. 6 Issue 1 (Mar 13 2020) ISSN: 2311-553X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 32182990 (Publication Type: Journal Article)