Two new mouse studies have contributed to our knowledge of the physiological role of miR-122, the most abundant liver microRNA. Tsai et al. found steatohepatitis, fibrosis and HCC-like tumours developed as a result of Mir122a deletion and that re-expression of mir-122a reduced both disease manifestation and tumour incidence. Similarly, Hsu et al. found that Mir122 deletion resulted in hepatosteatosis, hepatitis and the development of HCC-like tumours and that tumorigenesis was inhibited by miR-122 given to a mouse model of HCC.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS
Tsai, W.-C. et al. MicroRNA-122 plays a critical role in liver homeostasis and hepatocarcinogenesis. J. Clin. Invest. doi:10.1172/JCI63455
Hsu, S.-H. et al. Essential metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumorigenic functions of miR-122 in liver. J. Clin. Invest. doi:10.1172/JCI63539
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Dissecting the role of microRNA-122 in the liver. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 9, 488 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2012.150
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2012.150