PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Han, Sen
AU  - Zhang, Ting
AU  - Kusumanchi, Praveen
AU  - Huda, Nazmul
AU  - Jiang, Yanchao
AU  - Liangpunsakul, Suthat
AU  - Yang, Zhihong
TI  - Role of microRNA-7 in liver diseases: a comprehensive review of the mechanisms and therapeutic applications
AID  - 10.1136/jim-2020-001420
DP  - 2020 Oct 01
TA  - Journal of Investigative Medicine
PG  - 1208--1216
VI  - 68
IP  - 7
4099  - http://jim.bmj.com/content/68/7/1208.short
4100  - http://jim.bmj.com/content/68/7/1208.full
SO  - J Investig Med2020 Oct 01; 68
AB  - MicroRNA-7 (miR-7) is a small non-coding RNA, which plays critical roles in regulating gene expression of multiple key cellular processes. MiR-7 exhibits a tissue-specific pattern of expression, with abundant levels found in the brain, spleen, and pancreas. Although it is expressed at lower levels in other tissues, including the liver, miR-7 is involved in both the development of organs and biological functions of cells. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms by which miR-7 controls cell growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, metabolism, and inflammation. We also summarize the specific roles of miR-7 in liver diseases. MiR-7 is considered as a tumor suppressor miRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma and is involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and hepatitis. Future studies to further define miR-7 functions and its mechanism in association with other types of liver diseases should be explored. An improved understanding from these studies will provide us a useful perspective leading to mechanism-based intervention by targeting miR-7 for the treatment of liver diseases.