ABSTRACT
In recent years, the regulatory role of microRNAs in liver pathological process has attracted more and more attention. In viral hepatitis and steatohepatitis, microRNA-335 (miRNA-335) regulates the progression of hepatitis via the transcription factor sex-determining region Y-box 4; in the development and progression of progressive liver fibrosis and liver cancer, miRNA-335 affects collagen production, deposition, and degradation in the liver via the target genes including hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, phosphatase and tensin homologue, Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, twist family bHLH transcription factor 1, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor and thus regulates the migration and invasion of hepatic stellate cells and hepatoma cells. This article summarizes the research advances in the role of miRNA-335 in hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer in recent years, and based on existing data, it is pointed out that the miRNA-335/QSOX1 regulatory axis may mediate artesunate against schistosomal liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, so as to provide new ideas for the treatment of liver fibrosis and other liver diseases.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the mechanism of vitamin A deficiency(VAD) impairing the mucosal immunity and the influences of VAD on cytokines response of intestinal mucosa in rats. Method The rat model with VAD was established,and intestinal infection was induced by typhoid salmonella orally administered. The fresh ileum tissue samples were taken,and ELISA and RT-quantity PCR were used to detect the production of cytokines,including IFN-?,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10 and IL-12,by intestinal mucosa in protein and mRNA levels. Results IL-12,the cytokine produced by dendritic cells,was markedly increased in VAD rats,and the level was further raised when the VAD rats were complicated by intestinal infection. The Th1 cytokines,IFN-? and IL-2,were reduced in VAD rats. IL-4,the main Th2 cytokine,was significantly decreased after intestinal infection,especially in VAD rats. IL-6 mRNA was lower in VAD rats and after intestinal infection compared with that of the VA normal control. IL-10 mRNA was also declined in VAD rats,and more markedly reduced after intestinal infection. Conclusion The regulation of VAD onproduction of cytokines in local intestinal mucosa is likely to be an important mechanism of VAD affecting intestinal mucosal immunity.