Transcription factors LEF1, PU.1 and IRF8 have decreased expression levels in majority of de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1(LEF1), PU.1 and interferon regulatory factor 8(IRF8) are three important differentiation genes that are commonly defective and associated with the development of leukaemia. Alternations in the expression of these genes can be resulted in malignancy. Methods: In this study the expression levels of the genes mentioned were analysed using Real Time PCR with SYBR Green and the Delta Delta CT method within 96 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and 16 healthy subjects as a normal control. Results: The results presented in this study revealed that PU.1 and LEF-1 gene expression was significantly lower and IRF8 gene expression levels were significantly higher in patients with AML in comparison with the normal control group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, Analysis determines that the three genes have moderate positive correlation with each other; correlation between PU.1 and IRF-8 is R: 0.378, P < 0.0001, expression of PU. 1 and LEF-1: R: 0.399, P < 0.0001 and the expression of IRF8 and LEF1: R: 0.320, P: 0.001in patients with AML. In our study, the relatively strong positive correlation between these genes was observed which is supported by other studies. Interpretation & conclusion: It can be indicated in this study that when malignancy for unknown reasons that new connections between transcription factors occur which can affect the malignancy process. Our observations suggest that examining the oncogenic role of these genes and discovering new molecular mechanisms formed in the process of malignancy in each of these differentiation genes can play a role in the design of novel diagnostic methods, monitoring and treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.