Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) refers to a group of disorders that arise from the accrual of fat in hepatocytes. Although various factors have been associated with the deve...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) refers to a group of disorders that arise from the accrual of fat in hepatocytes. Although various factors have been associated with the development of NAFLD, including genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, little is known aboutthe underlying pathogenesis of the disease. Research efforts are ongoing to identify biological targets and signaling pathways that mediate NAFLD. Emerging evidence has implicated a role for micro RNAs(mi RNAs), short single-stranded molecules that regulate gene expression either transcriptionally, through targeting of promoter regions, or post-transcriptionally, by blocking translation or promoting cleavage of specific target m RNAs. Several mi RNAs have been associated with NAFLD, although our understanding of the biology underlying their role is still emerging. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the current state of knowledge of mi RNAs involved in the development of NAFLD across a range of in vitro and in vivo models, including mi RNAs that contribute to pathological mechanisms related to fatty liver in humans. Much less is known about the specific targets of mi RNAs in cells, nor the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression NAFLD and related outcomes. More recently, the identification and validation of mi RNA signatures in serum may facilitate the development of improved methods for diagnosis and clinical monitoring of disease progression.展开更多
基金Supported by The National Institutes of Health DK091601(JKD and GSG),P30 DK072488(GSG and CDS)the Translational Genomics Research Institute
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) refers to a group of disorders that arise from the accrual of fat in hepatocytes. Although various factors have been associated with the development of NAFLD, including genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, little is known aboutthe underlying pathogenesis of the disease. Research efforts are ongoing to identify biological targets and signaling pathways that mediate NAFLD. Emerging evidence has implicated a role for micro RNAs(mi RNAs), short single-stranded molecules that regulate gene expression either transcriptionally, through targeting of promoter regions, or post-transcriptionally, by blocking translation or promoting cleavage of specific target m RNAs. Several mi RNAs have been associated with NAFLD, although our understanding of the biology underlying their role is still emerging. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the current state of knowledge of mi RNAs involved in the development of NAFLD across a range of in vitro and in vivo models, including mi RNAs that contribute to pathological mechanisms related to fatty liver in humans. Much less is known about the specific targets of mi RNAs in cells, nor the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression NAFLD and related outcomes. More recently, the identification and validation of mi RNA signatures in serum may facilitate the development of improved methods for diagnosis and clinical monitoring of disease progression.
