Roles of Extracellular Vesicle-Derived microRNAs in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease to...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• Current diagnostic methods for MASLD and MASLD-associated HCC lack specific biomarkers.
• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their microRNA (miRNA) cargo are crucial for cell communication and are emerging as diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the stage-specific roles of EV-derived miRNAs in MASLD progression.
• To explore how EV-miRNAs regulate key pathological processes including lipid metabolism, inflammation, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling.
• To evaluate the potential of EV-derived miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for MASLD-associated HCC.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focusing on extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs.
• Analysis of mechanistic insights into EV-miRNA regulation of MASLD and HCC pathogenesis.
• Integration of mechanistic findings with clinical relevance for biomarker and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

• EV-derived miRNAs play critical roles across the MASLD spectrum, influencing lipid metabolism, inflammation, HSC activation, and TME.
• Specific EV-miRNA regulatory circuits are identified that span different stages of MASLD and HCC development.
• EV-derived miRNAs demonstrate significant potential as non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification.

Conclusions:

• EV-derived miRNAs represent a promising avenue for developing non-invasive biomarkers for MASLD and MASLD-associated HCC.
• Targeting EV-miRNAs offers potential for precision therapeutic interventions in MASLD-associated HCC.
• Understanding EV-miRNA dynamics provides a comprehensive framework for managing MASLD and its progression to HCC.