MicroRNA 122, Regulated by GRLH2, Protects Livers of Mice and Patients From Ethanol-Induced Liver Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption leads to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and eventually cirrhosis. The hepatocyte specific microRNA 122 (MIR122) regulates hepatocyte differentiation and metabolism. We investigated whether an alcohol-induced decrease in level of MIR122 contributes to development of ALD.

Methods

We obtained liver samples from 12 patients with ALD and cirrhosis and 9 healthy individuals (controls) and analyzed them by histology and immunohistochemistry. C57Bl/6 mice were placed on a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet, in which they were fed ethanol for 8 weeks, as a model of ALD, or a control diet. These mice were also given injections of CCl4, to increase liver fibrosis, for 8 weeks. On day 28, mice with

SUBMITTER: Satishchandran A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5742049 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature