B-cell integration cluster (BIC) (BIC)

The B-cell integration cluster (BIC), formally known as MIR155HG, is a non-protein-coding gene that serves as the primary host and precursor for microRNA-155 (miR-155). Originally identified as a common integration site for avian leukosis virus, BIC is highly conserved and plays a pivotal role in the mammalian immune system, regulating the differentiation and activation of B-cells, T-cells, and myeloid cells. In healthy individuals, BIC expression is transiently induced upon antigen receptor or Toll-like receptor stimulation to modulate the immune response and cytokine production. However, its chronic overexpression is a hallmark of various malignancies, particularly B-cell lymphomas such as Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), where it acts as a potent oncogene by silencing tumor suppressors like SHIP1 and SOCS1. Beyond oncology, BIC-derived miR-155 is heavily implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, making it a high-priority therapeutic target for antisense-based therapies.

Other names

MIR155HGmiR-155 host genepri-miR-155MicroRNA 155 host gene