The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the Development and Progression of Fibrosis Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Non-Coding RNA

卷:4

Danielle Wilhelmsen¹  JohannaK. DiStefano¹  Amanda Hanson¹ 

[1] Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA;

关键词: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD);    nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH);    liver fibrosis;    hepatic carcinoma;    long non-coding RNA;    epigenetics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ncrna4030018

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of conditions ranging from hepatic steatosis to inflammation (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH) with or without fibrosis, in the absence of significant alcohol consumption. The presence of fibrosis in NASH patients is associated with greater liver-related morbidity and mortality; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis in NAFLD patients remain poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key contributors to biological processes that are underpinning the initiation and progression of NAFLD fibrosis. This review summarizes the experimental findings that have been obtained to date in animal models of liver fibrosis and NAFLD patients with fibrosis. We also discuss the potential applicability of circulating lncRNAs to serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NAFLD fibrosis. A better understanding of the role played by lncRNAs in NAFLD fibrosis is critical for the identification of novel therapeutic targets for drug development and improved, noninvasive methods for disease diagnosis.

【 授权许可】

Unknown