Expression of hsa-MIR-204, RUNX2, PPARγ, and BCL2 in Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Multiple Myeloma Patients and Normal Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous cytogenetic disorder in which clonal plasma cells proliferate in the bone marrow (BM) and cause bone destruction. The BM microenvironment plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of this disease, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the key players. Herein, we propose to investigate the expressions of hsa-MIR-204 , runt-related transcription factor 2 ( RUNX2 ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( PPARγ ), and B-cell lymphoma 2 ( BCL2 ) as factors involved in osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and MSC survival in BM-MSCs from MM patients and normal individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we isolated MSCs from BM aspirates of MM patients and healthy donors. Total RNA were extracted before and after co-culture with L363 myeloma cells. Gene expressions of RUNX2 , PPARγ , BCL2 , and hsa-MIR-204 were assessed by quantitive real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS: Higher levels of RUNX2 , PPARγ , and hsa-MIR-204 expressions existed in MM- MSCs compared to normally derived (ND)-MSCs. BCL2 expression decreased in MM- MSCs. We observed different results in the co-culture model.

CONCLUSION: In general, the MM-MSCs gene expression profile differed compared to ND- MSCs. Upregulation of RUNX2 , PPARγ , and hsa-MIR-204 in MM-MSCs compared to ND- MSCs would result in formation of bone defects. Downregulation of BCL2 would lead to MM-MSC cell death.