MicroRNA-125b-5p mimic inhibits acute liver failure

Nat Commun. 2016 Jun 23:7:11916. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11916.

Abstract

The lack of broad-spectrum anti-acute liver failure (ALF) therapeutic agents contributes to ALF-related mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are suggested to be potent serum biomarkers for ALF, but their functional and therapeutic relevance in ALF are unclear. Here we show an unbiased approach, using two complementary miRNA screens, to identify miRNAs that can attenuate ALF. We identify miR-125b-5p as a regulator of cell death that attenuates paracetamol-induced and FAS-induced toxicity in mouse and human hepatocytes. Importantly, administration of miR-125b-5p mimic in mouse liver prevents injury and improves survival in models of ALF. Functional studies show that miR-125b-5p ameliorates ALF by directly regulating kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, in turn elevating expression of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2, a known regulator in ALF. Collectively, our findings establish miR-125b-5p as an important regulator of paracetamol-induced and FAS-induced cell death. Thus, miR-125b-5p mimic may serve as a broad-spectrum therapeutic attenuator of cell death during ALF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Humans
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Liver Failure, Acute / metabolism*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • MicroRNAs / administration & dosage
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional

Substances

  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • MIRN125 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn125 microRNA, mouse
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human