MicroRNA-378 promotes hepatic inflammation and fibrosis via modulation of the NF-κB-TNFα pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The progression of hepatosteatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a critical step in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular cancer. However, the underlying mechanism(s) for this progression is essentially unknown. This study was designed to determine the role of miR-378 in regulating NASH progression.

Methods

We used immunohistochemistry, luciferase assays and immunoblotting to study the role of miR-378 in modulating an inflammatory pathway. Wild-type mice kept on a high-fat diet (HFD) were injected with miR-378 inhibitors or a mini-circle expression system containing miR-378, to study loss and gain-of functions of miR-378.

Results

MiR-378 expression is increased in livers of dietary obese mice and patients with NASH. Further studies revealed

SUBMITTER: Zhang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6554744 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature