MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

• Published in: International journal of biological sciences Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. 1851 - 1863
• Main Authors: Fang, Zhiqiang, Dou, Guorui, Wang, Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Ivyspring International Publisher Pty Ltd 01.01.2021; Ivyspring International Publisher
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Body fat; Cardiovascular diseases; Cell activation; Cholesterol; Cirrhosis; Cytokines; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Epigenetics; Etiology; Fatty acids; Fatty liver; Fibrosis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Liver; Liver - metabolism; Liver cirrhosis; Liver diseases; Metabolism; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNA; Morbidity; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - genetics; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - metabolism; Oxidation; Oxidation resistance; Oxidative Stress; Pathogenesis; Regulation; Review; Signal transduction; Steatosis; Therapeutic applications; NAFLD; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; miRNAs; Pathogenesis
• ISSN: 1449-2288; 1449-2288
• DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.59588

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or, more accurately, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, accounts for a large proportion of chronic liver disorders worldwide and is closely associated with other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and can progress to cirrhosis and, eventually, also hepatocellular carcinoma. The morbidity and mortality associated with NAFLD are increasing rapidly year on year. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD and identify effective therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), important epigenetic factors, have recently been proposed to participate in NAFLD pathogenesis. Here, we review the roles of miRNAs in lipid metabolism, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress, key factors that contribute to the occurrence and progression of NAFLD. Additionally, we summarize the role of miRNA-enriched extracellular vesicles in NAFLD. These miRNAs may comprise suitable therapeutic targets for the treatment of this condition.