MiR-122 is a unique molecule with great potential in diagnosis, prognosis of liver disease, and therapy both as miRNA mimic and antimir.

ABSTRACT: miR-122, a completely conserved liver-specific miRNA in vertebrates, is essential for the maintenance of liver homeostasis. This 22 nucleotide RNA regulates diverse functions such as cholesterol, glucose and iron homeostasis, lipid metabolism and infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and of the parasitic protozoa, Leishmania donovani. It is the first miRNA that underwent successful clinical trials in HCV infected patients. In contrast, miR-122 expression is reduced in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients, and in a subset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients including hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive patients with highly invasive and metastatic cancer. Studies in mice genetically depleted of miR-122 have highlighted its critical role in liver biology. These mice progressively d

SUBMITTER: Thakral S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4439190 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature