Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Liver Fibrosis by MicroRNA

Abstract

Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment and control of hepatitis B and C viral infections. However, fundamental treatments for diseases in which liver fibrosis is a key factor, such as cirrhosis, alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are still under development and remain an unmet medical need. To solve this problem, it is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in detail from a molecular and cellular perspective and to develop targeted therapeutic agents based on this information. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), functional RNAs of 22 nucleotides, have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In addition, extracellular vesicles called “exosomes” have been attracting attention, and research is being conducted to establish noninvasive and extremely sensitive biomarkers using miRNAs in exosomes. In this review, we summarize miRNAs directly involved in liver fibrosis, miRNAs associated with diseases leading to liver fibrosis, and miRNAs related to complications of cirrhosis. We will also discuss the efficacy of each miRNA as a biomarker of liver fibrosis and pathology, and its potential application as a therapeutic agent.

A Generic Nomogram Predicting the Stage of Liver Fibrosis Based on Serum Biochemical Indicators Among Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

“…Therefore, it is necessary to find a non-invasive method to determine whether a patient must further undergo an invasive procedure. Several biomarkers and combining markers are related to liver fibrosis and many non-invasive models have been suggested as good choices for screening liver fibrosis in order to overcome the limitations of liver biopsy (24)(25)(26)(27). In our study, routine biomarkers and clinical markers were used to establish noninvasive predictive models for liver fibrosis.…”

Some Biochemical Changes and Role of Micro RNA 34 a-5p and Micro RNA 365a-5p as A Diagnostic Marker in Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV).

“…A larger fibrogenic response or liver injury has been linked to altered miRNA expression (El-Ahwany et al, 2019; O'Brien et al, 2018). More than twenty microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found so far to prevent liver fibrosis from progressing and worsening, including miR-221, miR-19b, miR-222, miR-351, and others (Brandon-Warner et al, 2017;Tadokoro et al, 2021). The miR-34a, miR34b, and miR34c are the three members of the miR-34 family.…”

Pathophysiology of Chronic Liver Disease Development

“…This Special Issue pays close attention to the role and potential of microRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNAs involved in intra- and extracellular signaling pathways and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression [ 3 ]. MiRNAs do not only contribute to injury-related remodeling of the liver termed as fibrosis/fibrogenesis, but they also constitute attractive markers of disease stage and activity.…”

“…MiRNAs do not only contribute to injury-related remodeling of the liver termed as fibrosis/fibrogenesis, but they also constitute attractive markers of disease stage and activity. In their review paper, Tadokoro et al summarized the effects of miRNAs both promoting and inhibiting liver fibrogenesis, as well as their importance in end-stage liver disease characterized by liver cirrhosis and its related complications [ 3 ]. They also emphasized the potential of miRNAs as targets of anti-fibrosis therapy [ 3 ].…”

“…In their review paper, Tadokoro et al summarized the effects of miRNAs both promoting and inhibiting liver fibrogenesis, as well as their importance in end-stage liver disease characterized by liver cirrhosis and its related complications [ 3 ]. They also emphasized the potential of miRNAs as targets of anti-fibrosis therapy [ 3 ]. Their work is nicely complemented by a review from Mohr et al, who elaborated on the importance of different miRNAs in hepatocarcinogenesis [ 4 ].…”