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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
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TGF-β-mediated Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition EndMT and the Functional Assessment of EndMT Effectors using CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing
Published on: February 26, 2021
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Non-coding RNAs regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Research progress in liver disease
Xiang Yang1, Zhitao Jiang1, Yang Li2
1Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China.
Summary
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), a key process in liver disease progression. Understanding ncRNA-EMT interactions offers new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for liver conditions.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Chronic liver injury can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer.
- Abnormal cell differentiation, including epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), drives liver disease progression.
- EMT involves epithelial cells losing traits and gaining migratory mesenchymal characteristics, crucial in liver carcinogenesis and myofibroblast activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and EMT in liver diseases.
- To elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms underlying ncRNA regulation of EMT in liver pathologies.
- To highlight the potential of ncRNAs as biomarkers for liver disease diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on ncRNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA) and their role in EMT.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms by which ncRNAs regulate EMT-associated gene expression.
- Synthesis of findings on ncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in liver disease.
Main Results:
- ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are critical regulators of EMT.
- ncRNA-mediated EMT plays a significant role in the development and progression of various liver diseases.
- Numerous ncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic interventions in liver disease.
Conclusions:
- ncRNA regulation of EMT is a central mechanism in liver disease pathogenesis.
- Targeting ncRNA-EMT pathways presents a promising avenue for developing effective treatments for liver diseases.
- Further research into ncRNA functions can enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies for liver conditions.
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