Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by hepatocyte damage, inflammatory
cell activation and increased intestinal permeability leading to the clinical manifestations
of alcoholic hepatitis. Selected members of the family of microRNAs are affected by
alcohol, resulting in an abnormal miRNA profile in the liver and circulation in ALD.
Increasing evidence suggests that mRNAs that regulate inflammation, lipid metabolism
and promote cancer are affected by excessive alcohol administration in mouse models
of ALD. This communication highlights recent findings in miRNA expression and functions
as they relate to the pathogenesis of ALD. The cell-specific distribution of miRNAs,
as well as the significance of circulating extracellular miRNAs, is discussed as potential
biomarkers. Finally, the prospects of miRNA-based therapies are evaluated in ALD.
Keywords
microRNA - miR-122 - miR-155 - Kupffer cell - gut permeability
