Role of MicroRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Context:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play an important role in posttranscriptional gene regulation and function as negative gene regulators. They are an abundant class of RNA, each of which can control hundreds of gene targets and regulate diverse biological processes such as hematopoiesis, organogenesis, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Aberrant miRNA expression contributes to tumorigenesis and cancer progression.Evidence Acquisition:In this study we provided a summarized review of the most important new data available on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated miRNAs. The data were collected through searching the related keywords and were categorized and summarized in different sections.Results:Researchers have reported that miRNAs can repress the expression of important cancer-related genes and might be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. During the past two decades, numerous studies have shown that miRNAs play an essential role in inhibiting HCC via several different pathways. Deregulated miRNAs may contribute to carcinogenesis, indicating that miRNAs can act as tumor suppressors and oncogenes.Conclusions:In this mini review, we highlight current findings and discuss recent work to determine the contribution of miRNA expression to the maintenance and growth of HCC, thereby providing a significant source of hope that miRNAs could serve as therapeutic targets.

The clinicopathological significance of miR-149 and PARP-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and their roles in chemo/radiotherapy

“…More than 50 % of miRNA genes are located in cancer-associated genomic regions or in fragile sites [10], suggesting the involvement of miRNAs in cancer pathogenesis. The accumulated evidence has suggested that miRNAs can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes involved in the regulation of tumorigenesis, growth, apoptosis, metastasis, and prognosis of HCC [11]. A recent study demonstrated that miR-149 functions as a tumor suppressor gene in human HCC [12].…”

High serum microRNA-122 level is independently associated with higher overall survival rate in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

“…Previous studies have showed that miRs have important roles in the pathogenesis of cancers [13,14]. Previous studies have shown that some miRs are intensively involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma [15]. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is one of the most commonly studied miRs in cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma [16][17][18][19][20].…”

MicroRNA-101 sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via targeting Mcl-1

“…HepG2 cells were seeded in triplicate in a 96-well plate at a density of 5x10 3 per well. Following culture for 12 h, cells were transfected with miR-101 or NCO.…”

“…Studies have suggested that aberrant regulation of cell death signaling pathways and loss of several tumor suppressors, including apoptotic pathways and tumor suppressor miRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), are involved in the genesis of HCC. However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC has largely remained elusive (2,3). Although surgery and liver transplantation are able to cure patients with early-stage HCC, chemotherapy is the main treatment option for patients with advanced or unresectable liver cancers (4).…”