Epigenetic regulation of the TET2 gene in Iraqi patients with acute myeloid leukemia: Expression and methylation analysis

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of leukemia, is characterized by abnormal cell division during blood cell production marked by disrupted myeloid differentiation and clonal proliferation, leading to bone marrow failure and compromised hematopoiesis. Epigenetic alterations, such as differential deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, play a crucial role in leukemia susceptibility and prognosis. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study was to investigate the serum levels, expression and methylation status of the TET2 gene in Iraqi patients with AML. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 individuals were divided into 80 AML patients (40 newly diagnosed and 40 who received treatments) from Baghdad Teaching Hospital and 40 healthy controls. The expression of the TET2 gene was performed using relative gene expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while TET2 protein was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The methylation status of the TET2 gene promoter was investigated using the bisulfate method. RESULTS: The study demonstrated a substantial decrease in serum TET2 levels between AML patients and controls, as well as a substantial variation in gene expression. The TET2 gene was considerably downregulated in AML patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that epigenetic alterations, specifically the differential expression and methylation status of the TET2 gene, significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia in Iraqi patients.