Role of Noncoding RNAs as Biomarker and Therapeutic Targets for Liver Fibrosis

Abstract

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, whereas long coding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate gene expression both at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in mammals. Accumulated evidence demonstrates the widespread aberrations in ncRNA expression associated with almost all types of liver disease. However, the role of ncRNAs in liver fibrosis is poorly understood. Liver fibrosis is the process of excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the liver that lead to organ dysfunction and tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of ncRNAs in promoting or repressing liver fibrosis caused by nonviral agents, potential use of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of liver fibrosis, and therapeutic approaches to treat liver fibrosis by targeting the dysregulated miRNAs.