Identification of disease-associated microRNA in a diet-induced model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

• Published in: Molecular omics Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 911 - 916
• Main Authors: Bissoondial, Tyler L, Pellicano, Anthony J, Goldberg, Itzhak D, Narayan, Prakash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 06.12.2021
• Subjects: Animals; Diet; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - genetics; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; MicroRNAs - genetics; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - genetics
• ISSN: 2515-4184; 2515-4184
• DOI: 10.1039/d1mo00274k

Emerging evidence suggests that microRNA dysregulation plays an important role in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Using a model of diet-induced liver disease that progresses to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, we identify a set of 22 microRNA with robust correlation with liver enzyme levels and liver collagen content. These disease-asssociated miRs play pivotal roles in steatosis, extracellular matrix deposition and liver cancer, and may form the basis for identification of therapeutic strategies against this form of liver disease. miRs that align with clinically relevant variables, such as liver function tests and liver scarring, were identified from livers with diet-induced NASH. Targeting these miRs could lead to a much needed therapeutic success in the NASH industry.