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Updated: May 2, 2026

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
MicroRNAs: role and therapeutic targets in viral hepatitis
Meike H van der Ree1, Joep de Bruijne, Neeltje A Kootstra
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. meike.vanderree@amc.uva.nl.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The importance of microRNAs has been shown for several liver diseases, for example, viral hepatitis. MicroRNA-122 is highly abundant in the liver and is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism. MicroRNA-122 is also an important host factor for the HCV and promotes HCV replication. In contrast to HCV, microRNA-122 inhibits replication of the HBV. MicroRNA-122 acts as a tumour suppressor and reduced levels of microRNA-122 are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. MicroRNAs other than microRNA-122 have been linked to viral hepatitis, fibrosis and inflammation. In this review, we discuss function and clinical implications of microRNA-122 and other microRNAs in liver diseases, especially viral hepatitis.
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