LncRNA gm40262 promotes liver fibrosis and parasite growth through the gm40262-miR-193b-5p-TLR4/Col1α1 axis.

ABSTRACT: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe and life-threatening parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Liver fibrosis is a significant pathological feature of advanced AE, characterized by the excessive production and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the precise underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that the long noncoding RNA gm40262, predominantly expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), is upregulated in AE. Interestingly, its knockdown leads to liver fibrosis resolution, accompanied by a substantial suppression of parasite growth. Gm40262 functions by targeting miR-193b-5p to activate HSCs and stimulate their proliferation in a TGF-β-dependent manner, thereby promoting ECM production by upregulating Col1α1. Mo

SUBMITTER: Liu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11980551 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature