The miR-17/92 cluster is involved in the molecular etiology of the SCLL syndrome driven by the BCR-FGFR1 chimeric kinase

MicroRNAs have pathogenic roles in the development of a variety of leukemias. Here we identify miRNAs that have important roles in the development of B-lymphomas resulting from the expression of the chimeric BCR-FGFR1 kinase. The miR-17/92 cluster was particularly implicated and forced expression resulted in increased cell proliferation, while inhibiting its function using microRNA sponges reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis. Cells treated with the potent BGJ389 FGFR1 inhibitor led to miR-17/92 downregulation suggesting regulation by FGFR1. Transient luciferase reporter assays and qRT-PCR detection of endogenous miR-17/92 expression in stable transduced cell lines demonstrated that BCR-FGFR1 can regulate miR-17/92 expression. This positive association of miR-17/92 with BCR-FGFR1 was also confirmed in primary mouse SCLL tissues and primary human CLL samples. miR-17/92 promotes cell proliferation and survival by targeting CDKN1A and PTEN in B-lymphoma cell lines and primary tumors. An inverse correlation in expression levels was seen between miR-17/92 and both CDKN1A and PTEN in two cohorts of CLL patients. Finally, in vivo engraftment studies demonstrated that manipulation of miR-17/92 was sufficient to affect BCR-FGFR1 driven leukemogenesis. Overall, our results define miR-17/92 as a downstream effector of FGFR1 in BCR-FGFR1 driven B cell lymphoblastic leukemia.