Over‐expressed microRNA‐27a and 27b influence fat accumulation and cell proliferation during rat hepatic stellate cell activation

TLDR

Hepatic stellate cell activation initiates liver fibrosis, and microRNAs are known to regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and fat metabolism. Mechanistically, retinoid X receptor α was confirmed to be the target of miR‑27a and miR‑27b. Down‑regulation of over‑expressed miR‑27a and miR‑27b in activated rat HSCs restored cytoplasmic lipid droplets, reduced cell proliferation, and revealed a new role for these miRNAs in regulating fat metabolism and cell proliferation during HSC activation.

Abstract

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is an initial event in liver fibrosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and fat metabolism. In this study, we showed that down‐regulation of two over‐expressed miRNAs, miR‐27a and 27b allowed culture‐activated rat HSCs to switch to a more quiescent HSC phenotype, with restored cytoplasmic lipid droplets and decreased cell proliferation. Mechanistically, retinoid X receptor α was confirmed to be the target of miR‐27a and 27b. These results indicated a new role and mechanism of miR‐27a and 27b in regulating fat metabolism and cell proliferation during HSCs activation.