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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2011; 17(20): 2536-2542
Published online May 28, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i20.2536
Published online May 28, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i20.2536
microRNAs: Fad or future of liver disease
Ashley M Lakner, Herbert L Bonkovsky, Laura W Schrum, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, 28223 NC, United States
Herbert L Bonkovsky, Laura W Schrum, Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, and the Liver-Biliary-Pancreatic Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, 28203 NC, United States
Herbert L Bonkovsky, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27514 NC, United States
Herbert L Bonkovsky, Departments of Medicine and Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, 06030 CT, United States
Author contributions: Lakner AM and Schrum LW contributed to the manuscript concept and design; Lakner AM, Schrum LW and Bonkovsky HL performed the literature review and prepared the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Grants from NIH (DK38825, HLB; AA014891, LWS) and by institutional funds from CMC
Correspondence to: Laura W Schrum, PhD, Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, 28203 NC, United States. laura.schrum@carolinashealthcare.org
Telephone: +1-704-3559670 Fax: +1-704-3557648
Received: January 5, 2011
Revised: March 23, 2011
Accepted: March 30, 2011
Published online: May 28, 2011
Revised: March 23, 2011
Accepted: March 30, 2011
Published online: May 28, 2011
Abstract
microRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate both mRNA and protein expression of target genes, which results in alterations in mRNA stability or translation inhibition. miRs influence at least one third of all human transcripts and are known regulators of various important cellular growth and differentiation factors. miRs have recently emerged as key regulatory molecules in chronic liver disease. This review details recent contributions to the field of miRs that influence liver development and the broad spectrum of disease, from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to fibrosis/cirrhosis, with particular emphasis on hepatic stellate cells and potential use of miRs as therapeutic tools.
Keywords: Liver, Fibrosis, microRNA, mRNA, Hepatic stellate cells