Analysis of microRNA and gene networks in human chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Molecular biologists have identified a number of genes and microRNAs (miRs) associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, their underlying mechanisms in CML remain unclear. In the present study, three regulatory networks of genes and miRs were constructed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CML. The first network was the experimentally validated network of miRs and genes. The second was the dysregulatory network of CML, consisting of dysregulated genes and miRs, contributing to the pathogenesis of CML. The third was the CML-associated network, consisting of CML-associated genes and miRs. In addition to dysregulated genes and miRs, the associated network includes non-dysregulated genes and miRs that contribute to prevention, diagnosis, metastasis and therapy of CML. Key pathways were extracted and compared to distinguish the similarities and differences between dysregulatory nodes among the three networks. V-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog and miR-155 were observed to form a feedback loop module in the dysregulatory network. Regulation of the dysregulatory network may present as a strategy for gene therapy of CML. The current study provides an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of, and a potential treatment strategy for, CML.