Investigation Role of Toll-like Receptor-9 Gene and miR-155 Expression Levels in Acute Myeloid Leukemia via Quantitative Real-Time PCR

Mohammed, Maryam Qasim; Ali, Amal Mohammed; Alwan, Ali Hussein; Hamzah, Ahmed Mahdi; Al-Musawi, Zainab Saad Azeez

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.5.1599

Investigation Role of Toll-like Receptor-9 Gene and miR-155 Expression Levels in Acute Myeloid Leukemia via Quantitative Real-Time PCR

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

² Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.5.1599

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the mRNA expression levels of Toll-like receptor 9 and microRNA-155 in Iraqi patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within a case-control study framework. Additionally, the study will assess relevant hematological parameters. Methods: This study enrolled 40 Iraqi patients diagnosed with AML who were undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing relapse, and 40 healthy individuals as a control group. Hematological parameters were measured using a complete blood count (CBC) device. RNA was extracted from samples, quantified, and assessed for purity. Subsequently, RNA was reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). The relative expression levels of TLR-9 and miR-155 genes were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Result: Hemoglobin, erythrocyte, hematocrit, and platelet levels exhibited significant differences between AML patients and healthy controls. In contrast, white blood cell and lymphocyte counts were not significantly different between the two groups. TLR-9 gene expression was comparable between healthy controls and AML patients, with fold change values of 1.000 and 1.49, respectively. However, miR-155 expression was significantly lower in AML patients compared to healthy controls, with fold change values of 0.608 and 1.000, respectively. Conclusion: To evade host immune surveillance, cancer cells may downregulate the expression of TLR-9 and miR-155. This dysregulation may contribute to the progression and development of AML. Furthermore, the downregulation of miR-155 and dysregulation of TLR-9 during oncogenesis may serve as potential prognostic markers for AML patients.

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